Leon J. Stetson

1928 - 2021

Leon J. Stetson

North Pomfret, VT — Leon J. Stetson, 92, died peacefully at his home in North Pomfret on Wednesday August 25th surrounded by family.

Leon was born on December 9, 1928 in Hanover, NH, the youngest of six children of Lloyd G. Sr. and Mary A. Stetson. He spent most of his life living within a couple hundred feet of his childhood home in North Pomfret, aptly known as Old Homestead Farm, which has been in the Stetson family since 1847. He married Betty Leavitt of Pomfret in 1954. They built their home on the family land in 1971.

Leon served in the Army until 1956 but remained in the Reserves for another 6 years. During the years following his service he worked locally; plowing, clearing brush and doing landscaping work, and driving the school bus. He was a caretaker for four properties in Pomfret. He worked as an auto mechanic in Woodstock for a number of years. In the mid-1960's he began selling insurance. He ran the Leon J. Stetson Insurance Agency out of his home until he retired and sold his business in 1990.

Leon always had a strong sense of community. He was an active member of the North Pomfret Congregational Church for over 60 years, and during that time served as a member of the Finance Committee, a Trustee, and a Deacon. He held many positions in the Town, serving on the Selectboard, Zoning Board, Planning Commission, the Historical Society, and he retired in 2014 after 40 years as Pomfret's Forest Fire Warden. He was an early member of the first organized volunteer fire department in North Pomfret, and served as chief for a number of years. He was a member of the local American Legion for 52 years.

Leon was active for years in horseshoe leagues in West Hartford and Sharon, the softball team in Pomfret, and was a league bowler along with Betty. During the 1980's he sponsored the Pomfret farm league baseball team. Leon enjoyed a special connection with the land. He always enjoyed getting outside, be it hunting, fishing, gardening, haying, you name it. He especially enjoyed sharing his love for the outdoors with his family. A devoted and loving man, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. His hugs and laugh and stories will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty (Leavitt) Stetson, his 4 children; Janice Perron (Frank), Colleen Wells, Julie Stride, and Ronald Stetson (Jean), 11 grandchildren; Becky Fielder (Sam), Amanda Perron, Melinda Perron, Marc Perron (Jackie), Gary Wells Jr. (Leslie), Stefanie Vargas (Chris), Jenny Stout (Eddie), Jason Stride, Larissa Stride, Christopher Maxfield (Shelby), and Joshua Castleberry; 17 great grandchildren; Eli, Molly, Mya, Ryan, Jackson, Dylan, Landrum, Gracen, Evyn, Ella, Maddie, Lily, Henry, Joey, Caleb, Colby, and Amythist. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by 5 brothers; Royal, Robert, Arthur, John, Lloyd Jr., and 2 sons-in-law; Gary Wells, Sr. and Ric Stride.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 4th at 2:00pm at the North Pomfret Congregational Church; masks will be required inside the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the North Pomfret Congregational Church, 7767 Pomfret Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053 or to VNH of VT & NH, 88 Prospect St., White River, Jct., VT 05001.

An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com