Norman Henry Boynton

Norman Henry Boynton

Quechee, VT - Norman Henry Boynton, 99, building contractor, and restoration of early architecture

Norman Henry Boynton of Quechee, Vermont passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 26, 2024 in Claremont, NH. He was born on November 1, 1924 in Hartford, VT, son of Max Mark Boynton and Birdie Frances Jenne.

His boyhood home was Turkey Hollow, Barnard, VT – Pomfret line. He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1942. He later married Priscilla Jean Kelly of Woodstock, VT. They had one son, Philip Norman Boynton, that resides in Phoenix, AZ.

Norman's passion was to build and restore homes that he accomplished from the 1940's to 1998. His first challenge was to develop Barberry Hill in West Woodstock, living in one of the colonial style homes with his family. Purchasing more land, old cabins alongside Rt. 4, on the Ottauquechee riverside. He engineered and built the "Pond Ridge Motel" with a cottage on the property that he restored. It later was sold several times and became the perfect location for a Vermont designed elegant hotel, "On the River Inn".

Norman was always fascinated with historical homes with fancy trim. It became a reality with the restoration of the 1815 house Dr. Denison home in Royalton owned by John Duville, the State of Vermont preserver of Historical homes. This led to numerous restorations, one in Strafford "the Justin Morrill Homestead."

During a six year period Norm was employed as an instructor at Oxbow High School in Bradford, VT, Vocational Division, where his students built six homes. It was one of the most rewarding experiences!

Next another project was with Ed Kellog of Pomfret, VT who also loved very early homes. They sought everything extremely old, and were delighted to restore together. After the tragic death of his wife Priscilla in 1981, he decided to move. He purchased the lovely Owen Taft Federal brick home, known as "the Four Pillars". It was built by Owen Taft in 1836. Owen was cousin to U.S. President Taft. Norman resided there and bought a house and barn along Rt. 4. He had a fantastic shop of early American furniture, varied merchandise, with sleighs and horse carriages outside the barn. The house was used for rental apartments. He continued building on a smaller scale.

In 1991 he met Bertha Hazen Gendron from Quechee whose husband passed in 1981. They were married in Woodstock in 1992. Bertha taught her treasured students at the Ottauquechee School retiring in 1995. Both sold their homes and Norm's Antiques in 1998, buying a retirement home in Quechee.

During retirement they traveled extensively, enjoying the winter vacation in a resort in Florida, and summer vacations on their favorite "Martha's Vineyard".

Norm loved his flower gardens, and liked the quote, "You don't have a garden just for yourself, you have it to share." He was also an avid horseshoe pitcher, participating annually at the senior games competition in Middlebury, VT. He tried to convince family, neighbors and friends that it was the best sport!

The Thompson Senior Center in West Woodstock offered activities, programs and events that he couldn't resist, not to mention the delicious and nutritious lunches by Chef Andrew.

In memory of his childhood he authored a book "Where Did All the Turkeys Go?", about rural life in Vermont with folksy illustrations.

He was a kind, thoughtful, generous man, with many stories to tell, always with a smile, that brought joy to others.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, first wife Priscilla, brother Max Mark Boynton, Jr, sisters Glendine Boynton Welch, Madeline Boynton Clarke, Marjorie Boynton Spencer and Charlotte Boynton Ingram.

He is survived by his wife Bertha, son Philip and wife Pamela, granddaughter Jaime West and spouse Cory, great granddaughter Alyssa Boynton, Bertha's children, Jeffrey Gendron and spouse Kathleen, Melissa Gendron Michaels and spouse Eric, grandson Ethan Michaels, also many beloved nieces and nephews.

A family service will be held in the Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock in June.

In lieu of flowers please remember The Thompson Senior Center.

An on-line guestbook can be found at cabotfh.com