Reverend John Nutting

The Reverend John Nutting passed away at the Manor Nursing Home on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 after a brief illness. There will be no calling hours. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Faith Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made and a full obituary viewed by visiting faithfh.net.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Burlington Free Press from Jun. 17 to Jun. 18, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Nutting

Sponsored by Faith Funeral Home CLOSED.

26 Entries

David Hutchins

January 11, 2025

Just listened again to John Nutting's album, Songs of Lamoille County, Vermont. It was so fun to hear it again after a long time. I was a child in Lamoille County and visited several summers there when I got older. He sang about so many things and people that I knew or knew of. Like going home again.

John H Thomas

July 14, 2020

From 1992 to 2019 I served as national Ecumenical Officer and then General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. My times with John were always inspiring and delightful. I remember how impressed I was with his prophetic ministry around issues of economic justice. I learned from his insistence that not conversation about the needs of people in poverty should happen without the presence and leading voice of poor people themselves. John wasn't interested in being the "voice of the voiceless." He wanted to empower the voices of others. Never a grim prophet, John was playful, compassionate, and joyful. Deeply rooted in his ministry in Vermont, John was a gift far beyond to the entire United Church of Christ.

Joey Buttendorf

July 3, 2020

Dear Vicki, Steve, Emily and kids, I know this was a month ago, I have just now heard this news.
I am Joey Buttendorf AKA GiGi's restaurant in Stowe 20 yrs ago, Rev. Nutting and I were very close. I attended your mothers funeral in Hyde Park.
Your father was in my restaurant every day, wrote a beautiful article for Stowe Reporter when it closed, and also preformed my Younger Brother's funeral service in Aug of 2016. He was tremendous friends with my Stepfather Jim Abbott also from MN. They were like Kin.
I have some original pencil sketch Art of Rev Nutting's that he gave to me, in a cigar box, years ago as a gift.

I would like to pass some of these along to his Grandchildren and children. Please find me via email and I will send them off.

My condolences to all of you , he was a precious precious man. Peace and Love to all of you who loved him. I will be visiting the resting places asap of your Mom and Dad. xxoo
Feel free to reach out anytime.

Jane Willard

June 27, 2020

Dear Vicki, Steve, Emily and families,
I wanted you to know that Paul & I visited your parent's grave site yesterday afternoon and left two special rocks (didn't create a cairn) on the stone:) Paul and our son Ethan are great collectors of rocks and minerals and the ones we selected were found in VT. We sat on a bench and fondly remembered your parents. We were two of the lucky ones who received special cards from the "Card Queen" over many years. We were always inspired by your dad's passion and advocacy for justice. Over 25 years ago they gifted us with their timeshare condo in Falmouth on the Cape - what an incredible gift!! Your dad gave us several of his paintings from Falmouth. We will continue to stop by their resting place, knowing that they are now resting in peace. We wish all of you peace during this tender time.
Jane & Paul Willard

Tom Steffen

June 24, 2020

It is hard to sort out the great times with John { camping, board and bored meetings, stretching my mind etc} John left us with a deep concern for justice. our blessings to his family and to his larger family. Thank you John. Love, Tom

David Tucker

June 22, 2020

John's passing leaves a huge hole in Vermont. His staunch advocacy for Vermonters with low incomes has made a huge difference in so many people's lives. From housing to food to ecomomic opportunity, John's perserverance in pushing for positive change has made Vermont a better place in which to live. He was an inspiration to numerous Vermonters, myself definitely included. I will miss his warm smile and his unceasing ability to reach out to encourage others to express themselves so that John could better understand them and work to help them make their lives better. I am deeply saddened

Kim Charland

June 22, 2020

Steve and family, so sorry to hear about your father. My sincere sympathy to you all. Take care, Kim

Norma Wasko

June 19, 2020

In 1976 my husband, Don Goff, and I were relative new comers to Vermont. Don, who was the newly hired County Developer for the Franklin County Office of Economic Opportunity, invited me to go with him to an Addison County event sponsored by the local low-income advocacy group. I would have an opportunity he said to meet some of the people of the CAP world.
It was a PROJECT love dinner and the star attraction was the Reverend John Nutting and his guitar, who led the audience in a sing-along. I remember thinking where was I? It could have been 1962. I subsequently learned that John and his guitar were a long-standing force for good in this part of the world. Over the years I got to know and see John in a number of venues, (and often with the guitar):
-He saw the need and then worked with the VT Department of Social Welfare to upgrade the sensitivity and skill of front line workers when serving low income Vermonters.
-Always interested in matching people with opportunity it was John who suggested that "Goff" transfer his ministerial credentials to the UCC ---which he did, beginning another chapter of Don's work life in VT.
-He was a painter who sold me a very good water color (at a first rate price and with a perfectly straight face) and donated an excellent print of an Eric Sloan painting to the State Office of the UCC.
-Always interested in the history of ordinary people and their times, he painstakingly researched and published a history of the Vermont UCC.
-He was always glad to see, and never tired of "pulling Goff's leg" and getting as good as he gave. I remember him ragging Don at Don's 2001 retirement party (and, yes, John did play the guitar and sing).
Over the years we all got old and meetings became increasingly rare. If I were asked to sum up what I think about John Nutting I would say that he understood that equity and social justice are grounded in, and require love. And that if Christianity didn't exist it would have to be invented in order to bend the arc of history toward Justice.
My condolences to John's family. We have all lost one of a kind, one of those rare people whose life was spent trying to and actually succeeding in making the world a better place. I for one will miss him.
Norma Wasko

Tony Hall

June 19, 2020

John Nutting was a friend of mine for over 50 years. We participated in several Conference activities together. He was a kind, compassionate and talented man. He could be relied upon to provide good music and humor to the occasion. He shared compassion and spirituality with his music and actions.

John brought the good news wherever he went. I'll miss his byline in the Conference News from far flung places such as Nicaragua and El Salvador. He was fearless. Beneath that carefree demeanor was a resolve to bring help to the powerless of the the world. He was a faithful and faith filled.

My best to Vicki, Apryl and Stephen.

Peace-
Tony Hall

Judy Cookson

June 19, 2020

John was one of a kind. His love for people was evident. I served on the Department of Mission with him for several years and participated at Bethany Birches. His obituary was such a beautiful tribute to a life well lived. I have only a few Lps and found his Songs of Lamoille County. My thought with all of you.

MaryIna Goodyear

June 19, 2020

Dear Nutting 'Children', it is with great sadness, as well as a smile, that I have read John's obituary. What a talented and loved man... both of your parents were incredibly giving and decent people... interested in others, kind, caring...really, the list just goes on and on... as I feel a personal and selfish loss, I would not wish one more day for John. He and Ramona now soar on high...blessings and prayers to all of you at this time.

Joanne Haines

June 18, 2020

I remember John with such fondness and pleasure from Church camp and his music in general. He was an important part of my formative years. He touched as nany lives.

Rosemary Miller

June 18, 2020

Rev John Nutting was a friend that I will missed the rest of my life. He work with VCIL where I was the receptionist and he asked me to be on his board for shared housing as well. He was the nicest as well as the funniest man and he will be sorely missed.

I am sending my prayer and thoughts to his family.

MARY Ann & Ed WILSON

June 18, 2020

What a joy he was to so many. What a huge loss for our community. Sending sincere condolences to his family.

Pril Hall

June 17, 2020

UCC people all over Vermont will miss John Nutting, love to his family and friends from our church in Thetford. Priscilla Hall, First Congregational Church in Thetford, Vermont, UCC.

MICHAEL CALDWELL

June 17, 2020

We thank God for you, John...
You brought the School of the Prophets (Yale) to Vermont and made practical disciples.
You made music with your guitar and your soul, inspiring masses of humanity.
You humored us with your stories and deep laughter.
You blessed the earth by walking on it, blessed us all to keep the faith in perilous times.
You blessed the Church of Jesus, made him alive in it.
You go with God, showing us the way.
Your Spirit remains, guiding us. Amen.

David White

June 16, 2020

Sorry for your loss May God comfort you all at this time

Sandra Hough

June 15, 2020

RIP Rev John Nutting....you have touched so many lives over your years. You will be missed by many.

Liz Sykas

June 15, 2020

Vicki, Stephen & Emily - I am so saddened to hear of your Dad's death. He felt to me, to be one who would live on forever. My memories go back to my youth at Wihakowi and his visits to Bethany Church. Whenever we would get time to chat, the conversation would come around to how he knew my Mom's family - my great-grandmother lived in Hyde Park, my grandmother in Morrisville. Connections. May God's peace be with you as you go through this journey of grief and mourning. Blessing to you and your families.

Kate Goodspeed

June 15, 2020

John 's presence in my life was transformative during the time in the 70's when my husband and I served the church in Bellows Falls. My name at the time was Late Perry. I served on the Department of Mission and your dad was an incredible mentor. I went on to be on the United Church aBoard for World Ministries for 12 years, serve as a missionary in China for 8 years, and engage in social justice work against aparyheid, with the Native community in Colorado, and my last career was with refugees as an an ESL teacher. Now, in retirement, I love in Mexico and Maine, where I continue as a volunteer teacher. I am so sad to hear of John's deart, but what a fantastic life of ministry he lived. Kate Goodspeed

Tammy Scarfone

June 15, 2020

Rest in Peace John

Sharon Rabtoy

June 14, 2020

So sorry to hear of his passing. I knew John and Ramona for many years. Our prayers are with the family.

Penny (Farnsworth) Shonio

June 14, 2020

Sending my deepest condolences to Vickie, Stephen and Emily and families!

Mark Woodward

June 14, 2020

A true Lamoille County legion. I have his songs of the county on my turntable today.

Michael Eldred

June 14, 2020

Absolutely Amazing Man, will be missed by so many. Will catch up to you in Heaven when I get there.

Lawrence Nemeth

June 13, 2020

Rev. Nutting was an icon and a much needed moral beacon for everyone that was blessed to know him. He will be missed and talked about for generations to come.

Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results