James R. Boyd, Sr.

James R. Boyd Sr., age 84 passed away peacefully on Monday, April 23, 2018 after an extended hospitalization. Jim was born in Albany, NY on March 26, 1934, the only child of David and Elizabeth (Adams) Boyd. He grew up in Colonie NY and served honorably in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division in the 1950s. Jim was the proprietor of Valley Woodworking in North Rupert, specializing in custom cabinetry work for the past 28 years. He loved seeing friends and neighbors from the Pawlet community each day and was a regular at Mach's Market and Sheldon's Store in Pawlet for morning coffee. Always quick with a smile, he loved to laugh, share a good joke and opine on national and world events. It was especially pleasing to him when neighbors stopped into his shop for conversation. Jim loved the outdoors and hunted and fished his entire life from the Adirondacks of NY to Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. Often times on summer evenings he would be found fly fishing in his favorite spots along the nearby Mettowee River. Jim is survived by his loving wife Linda (Stetson) Boyd of 28 years. He was the beloved father of James R. Boyd Jr. and his wife Emily Harrison of Rumford, RI, his daughter Cheryl Curcio and her husband Steven of Smithfield, RI, his daughter Kerry Fleming and partner Al Wood of Coventry, RI. He is also survived by a stepson Robert Stetson of Warwick, RI, and was predeceased by his stepdaughter Melissa Stetson. Additionally, he is survived by his six cherished grandchildren: Tyler Curcio; Jordan Curcio; Andrew Fleming; Ryan Fleming, Jennifer Fleming, U.S. Navy PO3; and Rocque Dutil. He is also survived by his first wife Arlene (Hunt Boyd) Papa. Friends are invited to join family members for a graveside service with military honors to be held on Saturday, May 5th at 9:00 a.m. at the North Rupert Cemetery, VT Route 30. A celebration of life gathering will immediately follow at The Barn Restaurant, 5581 VT Route 30, Pawlet. Donations in Jim's memory may be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Friends are invited to join family members for a graveside service with military honors to be held on Saturday, May 5th at 9:00 a.m. at the North Rupert Cemetery, VT Route 30. A celebration of life gathering will immediately follow at The Barn Restaurant, 5581 VT Route 30, Pawlet