Herbert J. Washer

BERLIN – Herbert J. Washer, 79, of Willard Bean Road, died Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center. His family was at his bedside.

Born April 26, 1930, in St. Johnsbury, he was the son of Oscar and Ruth (Wheeler) Washer. He graduated from Orleans High School in 1948 and received his bachelor of arts degree from Norwich University in Northfield in 1952.

He had been married to Cynthia Emerson and they made their home in Barton. They later divorced. Since 1978, he had made his home in Montpelier and more recently in Berlin.

For over 38 years, he had worked for the Vermont Highway Department, and later the Vermont Agency of Transportation. He was a civil engineer in the Construction Division, retiring in 1992. Later, he was a consultant to the agency.

His memberships included the Brown-Johnson VFW Post 792 Men's Auxiliary and the Elks Lodge 924, both of Montpelier. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to the Orleans Masonic Lodge 55 of Barton of which he was a Past Master and the Mount Sinai Shrine Temple 3 of Montpelier.

He enjoyed antique cars, following the New York Giants football team and the New York Yankees baseball team, and traveling to Florida. Trips to New York to watch his favorite teams were special times.

Survivors include his son, Johnny Washer, of Barton; his two daughters, Tanya Bradley and her husband, David, of Barton, and Anne Plourde and her husband, Raymond, of Amherst, N.H.; and two grandchildren, Thomas Bradley and Tara Bradley.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Terry Lee Washer; his sister, Marie Washer; and his brother, Newton Washer, who was shot down over Italy during World War II.

His funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 11 a.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre. Interment will take place at a later date in the Irasburg Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.