George Ainsworth

SHARON—George W. Ainsworth, 79, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. after a brief illness.

He was born in South Royalton, Dec. 30, 1922, the son of George and Ruth (Collins) Ainsworth. He attended school in South Royalton, graduating in 1940 from South Royalton High School. He later attended the University of Wisconsin in the agricultural program.

He and his father worked his family’s Westlands Dairy Farm, on the Sharon-South Royalton town line, until his father’s death in 1961. He continued to help his son, David, who began farming with him in 1977 and took over the farm in 1985. George had continued to help his son with the farm.

On Aug. 30, 1944 he married Thelma E. Milnes in Groveland, Mass. They lived all their married life on the family farm until her death on May 9, 1971. On Oct. 20, 1972 he married Joyce Joslyn in South Royalton. They also lived their married life on their farm.

He was a member of the United Church of South Royalton and many farming organizations. He was a past member of the South Royalton Town Band.

He enjoyed raising draft horses and was director of the Green Mountain Draft Horse Association. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, traveling and meeting people throughout the United States and the world. George loved spending time with his family but his real love was his grandchildren and farming.

He is survived by his wife of Sharon; two sons, Charles W. Ainsworth of Quechee, and David M. Ainsworth of South Royalton; two daughters, Susan Erickson of Sharon and Cynthia Dalrymple of South Royalton; ten grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife and two sisters, Jean A. Howe and Mary Sanborn.

A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 7 at the United Church of South Royalton. The church was filled to full capacity with many friends and relatives.

The Revs. James R. Proctor and Steve Winkler officiated and gave words of remembrance about George’s life.

Organist Carol Rousseau led the congregation in singing the hymn, "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and soloist Ian MacHarg played the bag pipes while family and friends left the church.

Immediately following the service, relatives attended the burial which was held in the Haven Cemetery in South Royalton and came back to the church for fellowship, hosted by the United Church women.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc., New England Affiliate, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, Mass. 01701-4688.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home, Main Street, Chelsea, Vt.

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