Walter I. Goodrich

CABOT - Walter Ira Goodrich passed away peacefully at his Cabot home, where he was born, with family at his bedside, following his 90th birthday.
Walt graduated from Cabot High School in 1946 and Vermont Technical College, with an agriculture degree, in 1949. He married Sally Ann McCutcheon, of St. Johnsbury, in 1950, and together, they raised six sons.
Walt was well-known and respected for his strong work ethic, farming knowledge and overall wisdom, running the sixth-generation Molly Brook Jersey Farm with wife Sally. More recently his son, Myles, and wife Rhonda, continue to build on the farm legacy.
Walt was very resourceful and could weld or repair anything mechanical. Everyone appreciated Walt's quick wit, famous one-liners, and his ability to recount volumes of family history and local stories. For most of his life, Walt was an avid deer, partridge and rabbit hunter and always maintained a passion for automobiles.
He operated the first road grader in Cabot and provided school bus and milk can transportation services. Walt was a member of the Civil Air Patrol during WWII and served on the Cabot School Board for six years. Walt served eight years as a member of the board of directors for the Cabot Cooperative Creamery that his father, Wendell, helped to create in 1919.
Walt and Sally were also featured on the WCAX Television "Super Senior" show in 2013. In 1994, Walt and Sally were recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association with the Master Breeder Award and in 2002, the couple received the National Dairy Shrine Award for outstanding contributions to the United States dairy industry for all cattle breeds. In 2009, Molly Brook Farm was recognized with the Vermont Centennial Business Award, in acknowledgment of 100 years of contributions to Vermont's economic heritage. Walt and Sally were also inducted into the Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2016.
Walt is survived by his wife, Sally; four sons and their wives, Winton and Valerie, James and Maria, Glenn and Ruth, Myles and Rhonda; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Walt was predeceased by his sister, Ilene Goodrich Bothfeld, in 2000; and his two sons Thomas Dale, in 1958, and Rodney Gene, in 2001.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 21, 11 a.m., at Molly Brook Farm for family and friends. Family will provide grilled meats and drinks; potluck salads and desserts appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Jersey Cattle Association Research Foundation, 6486 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362.