Lawrence “Larry” Howard Brewer

Lawrence “Larry” Howard Brewer, 82 of Readsboro, passed away on February 21st, 2024 with the love of his life by his side following a short yet spirited battle with cancer. Larry showed his family such grit and will the last four months but God knew Larry couldn’t bear to miss the first boil or another opening day of rifle season.

Larry was the first of five siblings born on September 22nd 1941 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Mildred (Phelps) and Willis Brewer. Larry spent his childhood in Readsboro and attended area schools. He started work for his Grandfather Howard Phelps milling spruce and driving truck. Larry went on to work at the Readsboro Chair Shop firing the boiler and rounded out his career of indoor work as a back tender at the Glassine Paper Mill in Monroe Bridge. He didn’t care for being inside anymore and took to the woods felling trees for Emil Duchaine, then Joe Moore, and later Glenn Brown. When logging became too much for him, he made his final job transition to Eilers Bros Trucking & Excavating where he drove trucks dependably for over 18 years before retiring in 2007.

Growing up together, Larry eventually married his “dearest darling” and forever polka partner Donna Jean Birch on June 25th 1960 at the Readsboro Baptist Church. They had many great times together over the years hosting the Birch Family 4th of July, attending family reunions, making summer trips to Maine to visit family and later Norton Pond, and going to various town and family holiday parties. Larry was a champion slowpitch softball pitcher for the Readsboro Inn team where he played for 15 years with Donna there as his number one fan. He was also an adept bowler throwing a perfect 300 game in 2001. During the quieter times at home, Larry was a passionate reader, a diehard Yankee fan, and an old western enthusiast.  Friday afternoons often found Larry at the Readsboro Inn, sipping Miller High Life and visiting with his friend Tweed York. If the jukebox was playing, Johnny Horton or Johnny Cash was preferred. You could always tell if Larry was in there just by walking by on the street. Donna would often join him to share in the social atmosphere and get caught up on town gossip.

Larry was an integral member of brother-in-law Danny & his wife Joanne’s sugarhouse operations for over 30 years.  He’d spend some time in the sugarbush with the kids setting up buckets and tapping a few trees but Larry was “The Fire Man”. He was always on call and acutely aware of how much sap was left and he never burned the place down.  Larry will be missed and remembered there every day the sap runs.

Larry was an outdoorsman who enjoyed brook fishing with his brother Willis in the summer and hunting in the fall. Birds and bunnies early and deer in November. Larry had many great times hunting partridge and pheasants with his cousins Howie and Gordon Phelps alongside their Brittany spaniels Trixie and Norton. Together they killed a bunch and made lots of memories. Larry journeyed for his last time to the North East Kingdom with the boys and the beagles to rabbit hunt in September. It was an annual trip he always looked forward to with Danny and Eddie Birch, Jared Kingsley, Justin Corey and his great nephew Colton Corey.

Larry loved everything about deer camp and “Camp Tee Jus”. He enjoyed the peace of being there after a fresh snow, many a stiff drink, playing cards, laughing hard and telling stories. A hunter to his core with a keen eye for his target Larry always had meat in the freezer when nobody else did. This ultimately led him to begin hosting an annual polenta supper at the camp every rifle season. All the family was welcome and there was never an empty seat at the table. Deer hunting would continue into winter south of the border with the Birch guys where Larry was equally successful. At a remarkable 80 years old, Larry shot his last 8 point Vermont buck. Larry’s deer hunting skill was admired by many.

Larry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna of Readsboro, his mother, Mildred of Vernon, his brother Willis (Pat) of Halifax, and sister Judy Roy (Roy Richardson) also of Halifax.  He leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss him dearly. His boisterous laugh and presence was a force in the lives of all those he loved. Children softened his heart, made him smile, and put a sparkle in his eye especially his great (and great-great) nieces and nephews.

Larry was predeceased by his father Willis, his sister Norma Jean, and his brother Leonard who died in childhood.

Friends and family are welcome to call on March 2nd from 2:00-4:00 pm at Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home at 44 East Main Street in Wilmington, Vermont. The family plans to give Larry a proper party over the summer. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Larry’s memory to the Readsboro Lion’s Club – Park Maintenance Fund PO Box 9 Readsboro, VT 05350. The park was near and dear to Larry and the Phelps family.

Donna and the Birch family would like to thank Larry’s niece Kristy (Birch) Corey for her unwavering support, advocacy, trust, and compassion. With her help, Larry got to do things his way.