Edwin Roscoe Renfrew , 89, died Jan. 1, 2010, in New Port
Richey, Fla. Ed was born on Nov. 24, 1920, in St. Johnsbury, Vt.,
to Roscoe and Reita (Donaghy) Renfrew. He was the youngest of
six children, Mamie, Margaret, Clinton, Maybell and Isabell. On
Nov. 10, 1965, he married the love of his life, Virginia Day
Bedard. He attended St. Johnsbury schools and graduated from
St. Johnsbury Trade School in 1939. As a young man Ed was
employed with his siblings at his father's store, R.A. Renfrew's
Store, at the corner of Portland Street and Concord Avenue. After
graduating he joined the Marine Corps and served during World
War II. After discharge from the Marines he worked for New
England Telephone Company, retiring from there. Ed was a
member of the IBEW, the Elks Club, the Moose Club and a
lifetime member of the VFW. During his childhood he lived on
Clayton Street; during his bachelor years he rented an apartment
from Allen Lyster on Portland Street next to the Wee Hoose;
during his married life he lived on Caledonia Street; and then
during retirement years Ed and Virginia lived in New Port Richey,
Fla. Throughout his entire life he enjoyed time spent at his camp
on Miles Pond, where he water-skied, canoed and relaxed. His
favorite hobby was puttering - an art he mastered. Ed is
remembered for his love of his family, his love of Miles Pond, his
love of milk and cookies, his naps, his Moxie, his great laugh and
sense of humor. He was a man of few words. Ed was the classic
Vermont Yankee and embodied the essential Yankee qualities:
independence; an ironic dislike of pomp and pretense; a stubborn
refusal to complain; and the ability to find humor in everyday
occurrences, both good and bad (often at his own expense). He
had a gentle Will Rogers-like humor about him that lifted the
spirits of everyone he met. He was "Uncle Ed" to friends as well
as family. He truly enjoyed and appreciated life. He was
universally loved by all. He was a generous and loving man, kind,
humorous, and loyal to his friends and family throughout his long
life. Ed was a great son, brother, husband, father, grandfather,
uncle and friend. Ed is survived by his stepsons Douglas (Nancy)
Bedard and Stephen (Nancy) Bedard; grandson Douglas Bedard;
great-grandsons Cody and Zachary Bedard; sister Maybell Peck;
brothers-in-law Donald (Janet) Day and Leo (Jean) Beaulieu; and
nieces and nephews from Vermont to Mexico. He was
predeceased by his wife in 2000, stepson David Bedard, niece
Rieta DiSpirito, his parents and his siblings Mamie Maniatty,
Margaret Blake, Clinton Renfrew, and Isabell Sours. Funeral
services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 6, in New Port Richey, Fla.
Interment will be in St. Johnsbury at the convenience of the
family. Memorial contributions can be directed to The Good
Shepherd School, P.O. Box 384, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.
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