Walter O. Noyes Jr.

NORTH BENNINGTON, Vt. - Walter O. Noyes Jr., 88, died Sunday, June 20, 2010, at his granddaughter's home in North Bennington.

He was born Nov. 4, 1921, in Ipswich, Mass., son of the late Walter O. and Alta (Grey) Noyes Sr., and was raised in Newburyport, Mass. He was educated in Newburyport schools and received his bachelor of science degree from Tufts University in 1943.

The widower of Brenda Jane (Atkins) Noyes, his wife of 48 years who died in 1991, he is survived by one son, Peter Noyes of Bennington; two daughters, Carole Remington of North Bennington and Janet Cropper of Hampton, N.H.; 11 grandchildren, Andria Grimsley, with whom he made his home, Alicia Houran, Audra Prandini, Jonathan Grimsley, Stephen Noyes, Rachel Noyes, David Cropper, Michael Cropper, Alison Ellis, Jeff Noyes and Chris Noyes; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one son, Stephen Noyes; and two brothers, Richard and Philip Noyes.

WE REMEMBER: Mr. Noyes began his career in the chemical industry with American Smelting & Refining Company in El Paso, Texas, and then with Stone & Webster Engineering in Boston. He left the chemical industry in 1948 to operate Henry M. Tuttle Company, which was founded by his wife's family in 1857.

He worked tirelessly to build the company, which offered heating products, plumbing services and building supplies. After 49 years he retired from the company, which had been operated by five generations of family. The 143-year old company, one of Vermont's oldest retail establishments, was sold in 1996.

A dedicated oil heat advocate for nearly 50 years, he represented the industry in many capacities including founding the Vermont Oil Heat Institute. He was named Vermont's first "Oilman of the Year" in 1963 and Vermont's first "Legend of Oil Heat" in 1996. He wrote plans for the EPA and taught plumbing apprentice courses for the Vermont Department of Labor and Industry. He continued to be active in the industry following retirement.

Throughout his life he loved working on inventions; he developed and patented the Tank Watcher, which monitored fuel tank levels and also a device for remotely monitoring vacant homes via temperature checks.

In his personal life he enjoyed his family, family genealogy, history and studying foreign languages.

He was deeply involved in the community, being raised in 1947 to the brotherhood of Masons at St. John's Lodge AF&AM, Newburyport, Mass. He served as master of Mt. Anthony Lodge #13 F&AM for three separate terms; he was a member of Cairo Temple Shriners and Red Mountain Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church; volunteer at the Tutorial Center; director emeritus, Bank of Bennington; founding member of Bennington Rotary Club, of which he is a Paul Harris Fellow; chairman of the commission for establishing Willow Park; town of Bennington Lister; chairman of American Red Cross; Battle Day Parade chairman; director of Bennington Free Library and the Cooper-Kelly Fund; and a Sunday school teacher for 31 years.

He was a life member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and VOHI.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 25, in the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, with Kenneth Coonradt and Rev. Matthew Bowles officiating. Private burial will take place in the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge #13 F&AM, or Shriners Hospitals in care of the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, 213 West Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.

To sign an online guest book visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.