John Phillips Cushing

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, John Cushing, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. John joined the angels in heaven, surrounded by loved ones on December 7, 2024, at his home. His passing leaves behind a sadness that will be felt by the many people who knew and loved him.

John was born on Valentines Day, 1947 in Littleton, New Hampshire. He was the oldest of his parents, George and Marion (Aldrich) Cushing’s, children. John and his family moved to Milton, Vermont in 1956, and he never left. John graduated from Milton High School in 1965. He then married Linda Wimble on May 25, 1968 in St. Ann’s church in Milton, Vermont.

John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda, his children Jim Cushing, wife Tina, and children Megan Bedard (Justin), Mary (Connor), and Katie of St. Johnsbury, Vermont; Bob Cushing, wife Amanda, and children Madeline, Anna and Nathan of Waterford, Vermont; Sheila Eaton, husband Chad, and children Emma, Colin, and Connor of Milton, Vermont. John is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Taytum and Makinlee Bedard. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers, Linda Barrows (Bruce), Carl Cushing (Karen), Steven Cushing (Michelle), Allen Cushing (Carol), Terry Cushing, Sandra Read (Frank), Richard Cushing (Cynthia), and Paula Racine (Charlie). John leaves many special nieces, nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Marion Cushing, his in-laws William and Marguerite Wimble and his sister, Theresa Savoy (Craig).

John had many hobbies including producing Maple Syrup at his and Linda’s Sugarhouse, Lofty Maple Sugarbush, working with his draft horses, cutting wood, teaching hunter safety classes, coaching baseball and working in his woodshop building things for and with his grandchildren.

After graduating high school, John enrolled at Champlain College, where he studied Municipal Accounting. At 21 years old, John served as an assistant clerk in the Milton town office, until March 4, 1969, when he won the election for town clerk of Milton. John served as the town clerk for 46 years, retiring in March 2015. His commitment to community involvement and the people of Milton was acknowledged many times through the years, such as in 1993 he was voted Town Clerk & Treasurer of the year by the Vermont Association of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers, and in 2002 chosen as the Municipal Person of the Year by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. John loved the town of Milton and its people. If you were to ask him about his greatest achievements, one would have been the time he spent serving the people of Milton. 

John also served as a deputy game warden for 36 years. His grandchildren recall the several stories he told about his days as a deputy game warden, and the smile he had on his face whenever he told them. John didn’t look at this as a job, he thoroughly enjoyed his service in Fish and Game.

Furthermore, John helped organize and serve on the first Rescue Service in Milton before he joined the Milton Fire Department where he served for 30 years. He was chosen as Chittenden County Firefighters Association Firefighter of the year in 1986.

After John’s retirement from the town clerk’s office, he worked part time at St. Ann’s Parish, where he continued to enjoy talking and socializing with the people of Milton. John also spent his retirement enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to make them laugh, and made spending time with them his top priority. 

In the end, John never lost his sense of humor. Even as his memory went, he was still making jokes and doing everything in his power to make the people around him laugh. John’s family will forever miss his smile, the way he laughed at his own jokes, and his ability to make others laugh.

We feel that a quote written by Burlington Free Press author, Modisane Kwanza, after he was named Municipal Person of the Year in 2003, sums up our dad’s devotion to the people of Milton best. It states; 

“Less than 24 hours after his home was destroyed in a fire in February, longtime Milton Town Clerk John Cushing was at the Statehouse testifying before the Legislature along with other clerks, treasurers and municipal officials.” 

Dad put family first but the community of Milton was a very close second. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13  4-7 PM in the Minor Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 14 at 11 AM  in St. Ann’s Parish. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd, Colchester, VT, 05446 or to St. Ann’s Parish food shelf, PO Box 1, Milton, VT, 05468. 

To watch the Funeral Mass on St Ann facebook live feed please click here