Gerald Woodard

Gerald William Woodard, Sr., 73, a resident of Lost Lake Road, passed away September 3, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Gerald was born in Bennington on July 17, 1951 the son of the late James L. and Alice (Lacroix) Woodard. He graduated from AMHS class of 1969. Gerald served his country as a member of the United States Air Force for six years during the Viet-Nam Era.  First stationed at Grand Forks North Dakota Air Force Base, where he was fondly known as GW. Later joining The Air Force National Guard as SSGT.  Gerald was a part of the family business Woodard Construction for many years, then owned and operated J & N Excavation until he retired in 2022, then mowing fairways for Equinox Golf Course. Gerald was very committed to the country and community. He ran for County State House of Representatives and for County State Senate. He was a member of the Arlington Select Board, Arlington School Board, Justice of the Peace and Fence Viewer. Gerald was passionate about his sons’ sports, coached Little League, soccer, basketball and transported for the JISP program. He was chaperone for Friendship Through Soccer, befriending Mick Ribbands from England, in a friendship that lasted for 30 years.  In his younger years He enjoyed bowling, always deer hunting.  Gearld was a former Lions Club member, American Legion Post 69 in Arlington for 50 years, recently American Legion Post 13 in Bennington and the Viet-Nam Veterans of America. Gerald is survived by his wife of 52 years Helen (Hoyt) Woodard of Arlington, his sons Gerald William Woodard, II (Jennifer Ciccone) of Londonderry, VT and Nicholas Woodard (Katharine King) of Arlington, brothers James G. Woodard (Ruth) of Florida, Peter Woodard of Sunderland and Christopher Woodard (Brian Sullivan) of Florida, sister Susan Elwell (Michael) of Arlington, grandchildren Caden and Arthur King Woodard, step-grandchildren Mia and Natalie Ciccone and many nieces, nephews and cousins (all given nicknames) and they all knew him as Uncle G.  He was fun loving and an instigator of many shenanigans. To his family and friends he will be greatly missed.  Graveside funeral services with full military honors will be held October 18, 2024 at 1PM in West Arlington Cemetery. There are no visiting hours. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Gerald’s memory may be made to Chapter 601Viet-Nam Veterans of America, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home Arlington Chapel P.O. Box 528 Arlington, VT 05250. To send the family personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home Historic Route 7A Arlington, VT