PANTON — Jeffrey Minns of Panton died surrounded by his family, on May 7, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born in Akron, Ohio, on Dec. 28, 1946, to Edith (Paige) and Rupert Minns. Jeff spent a lot of time in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom as a child, visiting family and fishing with his grandfather. After attending Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, on a full scholarship, he was drawn permanently back to Vermont and studied English at Middlebury College.

Jeff enjoyed Shakespeare and poetry and could recite almost any poem upon request. He especially loved Walt Kelly’s Pogo and had a huge collection of his works, which he had memorized. Jeff was athletic and played varsity football and soccer, wrestled and ran track at Reserve. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, doing crossword puzzles, and puns.

During and after college, he worked at the North 40, Dog Team Tavern, Palmer’s Dairy, and Bud’s Market. Eventually Jeff settled on a teaching career and taught English and Latin for many years at Vergennes Union High School, where he was also a soccer and wrestling coach. After taking one computer course, Jeff was hooked and switched gears and finished his teaching years at MUMS teaching computer skills. He also drove a school bus for numerous field trips and sporting events since the early ‘70s.

Jeff preferred to stay home, inventing tools and gadgets and was an avid “collector.” He was able to repair almost anything. He loved vegetable gardening and often had a stand for the overflow at the end of the driveway. After his wife, Joy, forced him to accompany her to Hawaii in 2007, his outlook changed and he returned there often and even allowed himself to be dragged off to Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

Jeff married Joy Ostovitz in 1976 and they had two dearly loved children, Jennifer and Jason. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Mark. He leaves behind his wife and children, his sister Susan (Dennis) Leipold, Gregory (Tina) Minns, Roger (Dolly) Minns, and Mariedith (Ken) Massey.

A memorial service will be held at the Christian Reformed Church in Vergennes on Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m. A reception will be held there from noon-2 p.m.

The family thanks the staff at EastView, who made Jeff’s final months cheerful and comfortable. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Panton Community Church and Camp Ta-kum-ta. To send online condolences to his family, please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊