Earl Bartlett Pickering Jr.

Earl Bartlett Pickering, Jr. died at his home in Stratton, VT on June 15, 2009 He was born in Leominster, MA on February 21, 1925. Son of Earl Bartlett Pickering Sr. and Josephine Marsh Pickering.

He left High School in his junior year to join the Navy. He was a plank owner of the deck of the USS Wasp when it was commissioned in 1943. He rose to rank of Coxswain and was in the staff of Vice Admiral John S. McCain and was in charge of the Admiral's Barge until he was transferred to Maui to teach Sea Survival to the Navy Pilots. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946. He finished his High School education at Cushing Academy and attended Worchester Junior College.

He married Avis Whitney Dickinson in 1948 and built a home in Lunenburg, MA, where he lived until he moved to Stratton, VT in 1989.

He was a mail carrier for the Lunenburg Post Office for over 20 years and also wrote for many publication including Yankee Magazine, House and Home section of the Worchester Telegram, The Cracker Barrel , Stratton Magazine and was also Editor of the Fitchco-Deco News.

Earl was a selectman for the town of Stratton for 12 years and he was a board member of the Grace Cottage Foundation. He was an avid skier and was a Member of the National Ski Patrol for over 20 years patrolling at Haystack Mt and Carinthia in VT. He was also a First Aid Instructor and Swimming Instructor for the American Red Cross.

Survivors include his wife Avis of Stratton, his son James Marsh Pickering and his wife Maria, of Arkansas, his daughter Amy Kyle Pickering Howell, Stratton, VT, grandchildren Kristine Kyle Howell, Hooksett, NH, Jessica Whitney Howell, Stratton, VT, Kathryn Rose Gentes and Joshua Edward Gentes of Meredith, NH. His brother-in-law Porter S. Dickinson and his wife Sally of Fitchburg, MA. He was predeceased by a son Edward Bartlett Pickering in 2007.

There will be no funeral but his life will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Cottage Foundation, RT 35, Townshend, VT 05353.

The final arrangements are being taken care of by Eternal Blessings Cremation Services, Guilford, VT.