William Cairns

William Cairns

1932-2013 ARLINGTON William Cairns, a resident of Ball Mountain Road, Arlington, passed away Sunday September 29, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. Bill was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on February 8, 1932 the son of William and Laura (MacLeod) Cairns, Sr. He received his early education in Melrose schools then graduating and earning his Associate Degree from Nichols College. Bill entered the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War as a cryptographer in Paris at SHAPE Headquarters from 1953-1955. Bill worked for Hardware Mutual Insurance Company in Boston until moving to Vermont, where he became the first director of the famous ORVIS fly fishing school in Manchester. During his career at Orvis he also managed their travel programs as Technical Director with additional duties in sales and product development. Later he because Vice President of the H. L. Leonard Rod Company, again as Technical Director of products. Bill was a legend in the fly fishing world and a Master Fly Caster. He also authored articles in Trout; Fly Fisherman Magazine, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream and others and has written two books: Fly Casting with Bill Cairns and Backpacking for Trout. Bill was also a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association. He has fished all over the world and taught thousands of people how to fly fish. Bill also made his own flies and fly rods, owned and operated the Cairns Rod Shop, wrote an outdoor column in the Bennington Banner for many years and gave castings demonstrations and lectures in Boston, New York and throughout the country. Bill is survived by his wife the former Norma VanDemark presently of Arlington whom he married in Wakefield, Massachusetts February 23, 1953, his son D. William and his wife Cathy of Manchester, daughter Pamela of Dorset and son Scott and wife Paula of Waimea, Hawaii. Bill will also be missed by grandchildren Curran and his wife Mina, Jonathan and Kate LaFarge, Erin and Sam Cairns, Gavin Cairns and great grandchildren Emma and Sawyer LaFarge. FUNERAL NOTICE: Memorial services for Bill will be held Saturday October 19, 2013 at 11am at Zion Episcopal Church in Manchester. Rev. John Mitchell will officiate. There are no visiting hours. Interment will be private. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Bill's memory may be made to the Southwestern Vermont Cancer Research Center or Manchester Health Services, c/o Brewster & Shea Funeral Service P.O. Box 885 Manchester Center, Vermont. To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Brewster & Shea Funeral Service 34 Park Place Manchester Center, Vermont.