Kermit "Kurt" Fred Dwyer, 76, of Goss Hollow in St. Johnsbury, Vt., passed away Friday morning, February 12, 2016, at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, N.H., following a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Kurt was born August 20, 1939 on Sheffield Heights in Vermont, the son of the late Kenneth and Aurora (Petit) Dwyer. The family resided in Sheffield until 1952, when they moved to Goss Hollow. Kurt attended St. Johnsbury Academy, graduating in 1957. Kurt was a member of the Army National Guard from February 27, 1957 to February 25, 1958. He then joined the Navy on February 26, 1958, and served with this branch of the armed forces until Feb. 19, 1962. On Dec. 30, 1967, he married Marylin Roy of Danville. Together they remodeled a house Kurt had purchased in Goss Hollow, and lived there for the rest of their lives. Marylin predeceased Kermit on Aug. 7, 2010. Kurt was employed as a police officer for the Town of St. Johnsbury before working for E.T. & H.K. Ide, and then at Swift & Company where he learned to cut meat, a trade that came in handy when he would cut up deer (and other various animals) for people during hunting season in the fall, and at many other times during the year. When he could no longer do this job, he taught Ben and Andy Towle, the grandsons of his friends, how to go about it. Following his employment with Swifts, he worked for Ralston Purina, before becoming head of maintenance at EHV Weidmann. He continued to work at Weidmann until the age of 70 (which he insisted on doing), when he retired in October of 2009. He then worked on Weidmann's Green Team until he was no longer able to do so. Kurt loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and working in the woods. He would always help his father on the farm, haying and doing chores when needed. He was skilled in many ways, working with all types of mediums: building trailers and trucks, restoring equipment and getting it back in running condition. He had artistic talent, working with wood to make clocks (which he did for the State Police for special occasions, using badges and special memorabilia on them), picture frames, children's furniture (for his nieces!) and many other items of beauty. He was skilled at welding, creating "animals" and furniture items, using old tools and farm machinery parts. Kurt served as president and vice president of the Danville S- Ski-Mos Snowmobile Club for many years and enjoyed grooming the snowmobile trails during the winter and repairing them during the summer. In 1986, Kurt and Marylin, along with their friends Alan and Sandy Towle, formed the Best of Friends Band. Kurt was the bass guitar player and Marylin was a vocalist and tambourine player. The Band held its final performance on July 11, 2010. Kurt and his wife also helped deliver meals for the Danville Senior Mealsite. Survivors include Kermit's siblings: a brother, Kendrick Dwyer and his wife Shizuko of Kapolei, Hawaii; three sisters and their husbands: Marilyn and Frank Mosson of Milton, Vt.; Rosilyn "Rosie" and Mark Smith of Bulverde, Texas and East Burke, Vt.; and Karilyn and Peter Nobile of Lunenburg, Vt.; nieces, Lenora Meyer and husband Michael, Linda Mosse and husband Scott, Diana Lacerte and husband Micah, Maria Schaefer and husband Jon, Cari Causey and husband Andrew; and nephew, Clifford Mosson and wife Bonnie; great nieces, Jamie, Wynter and River, Reese and Willa; and great nephews, Henry and Levi; a sister-in-law, Donna Roy of Wilmington, Vt.; and a brother-in- law, Chuck Bernal, also of Wilmington; as well as many nieces and nephews on Marylin's side of the family. He is also survived by many close friends, including Alan and Sandy Towle and family of Danville. He was a godfather to Ryan Towle, grandson of Alan and Sandy. Along with his wife, Kurt was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Aurora Dwyer; his wife's aunt, Elsie Paquin; brother-in-laws, Robert Roy and Paul Roy; and a sister-in-law, Carol Bernal. Visiting hours, providing an opportunity to meet with the family, will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. At the convenience of the family, a graveside memorial will take place this summer at the Danville Green Cemetery. Memorial contributions made in Kurt's name may be directed to: Vermont Parkinson Disease Association (APDA Vermont Chapter), P.O. Box 2191, South Burlington, VT 05403; or the Danville Rescue Squad, 379 Brainard St., Danville, VT 05828.