Winthrop Carol Emch

SHELDON – Winthrop “Crow” Emch, 85, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at his home in Sheldon, peacefully in his sleep with his “angel” Emma by his side

He was born April 7, 1939 in Fairfield to the late Winthrop “Tommy” & Vera (Montgomery) Emch.

Crow was a proud lifelong resident of the area. His roots ran deep in the community, having attended Sheldon Grade Schools, BFA St. Albans, and serving in the Vermont National Guard, as well as FFA. He married the love of his life, Barbara, on August 4, 1984, and together they built a life filled with love and adventure.

His passions were simple yet profound; he found joy in fishing and hunting, relishing the serenity of nature. Every year, he looked forward to the Fryeburg Fair in Maine, where memories were made with family and friends. He was a dedicated attendant of the Rice Hill Methodist Church. He enjoyed visiting with George and Evelyn Martin, Raymond Sr., Raymond Jr. and Laurie Bushey, as well as all of the Rice Hill attendees. He looked forward to Fridays to play cards with his “sister” Hazel Reed and their friends.

Crow was known for his hardworking nature, spending over 46 years at the Rock-Tenn Paper Mill in the shipping department, retiring in 2005 to care for the love of his life, Barbara. He was also skilled in butchering, a trade he learned from his grandfather, Dell Montgomery. Crow ran his own butchering business until 2009. Many knew crow as a jokester and a comedian. He referred to himself as a clean-cut kid, which was something he was proud of. 

He is survived by his daughter, Shana Emch and her significant other David Jarvis; step-children, Michael Sweet, Deborah Hoburn and her husband Richard, Robin Sweet, Stephanie Sweet and her partner Suzanne Stevens, and John Sweet and his wife Cathy; grandchildren, Emma Emch-Desautels and her significant other Dylan Mcguire, Sophia Emch-Desautels and her significant other Colin Parrow, Amber Sweet, Zachary Sweet and his fiancé Tessa, Joshua Sweet, Danielle Dragon, Richard Hoburn Jr. and his wife Monette, Autumn Hoburn, Ashley Lieske and her husband Jonathan, Chad Johnson and his wife Miranda, Brittany Rushlow and her significant other Ryan Elwood, and Hunter; great grandchildren, Sheila Ann, Tyler, Brayden, Skyler, Caleigh, Erin, Hudson, Mason, Madison, Jackson, Gage, Ava, Alivia, Harper, and Keyli; great great grandchildren, Kinsely, Kadence, Karlee, and Marjorie; siblings, Eileen Arnold, Marilyn Mansfield and her husband Gary, Elenor “Patsy” Barnett and her husband Patrick, Reginald “Brownie” Emch and his wife Lynda, Judy and Buck Mayo, Donna and Marcel Gervais, Diane Pilon, and John and Sandy Lewis; and many nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents, Crow was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Emch; his brother, Donald Emch and his wife Charlotte; as well as Freddie and Anette Lewis.

Friends & family are invited to Crow’s life celebration on Thursday, February 13, 2025 to include visitation from 1-2:00 PM followed with a memorial service at 2:00 PM at the Goss-Spears Life Celebration Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls, VT. There will be a banquet held at the parish hall at Saint John the Baptist Church in Enosburg and everyone who would like to attend is invited. Inurnment will be held this spring in the Sheldon Village Cemetery.

For those who wish, contributions in Crow’s memory may be made to American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 70360, Philadelphia, PA 19176 or Rice Hill Methodist Church, P.O. Box 312, Highgate, VT 05459.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com