VERGENNES — Joel Porter Fearon, 75, of Vergennes, Vt., passed away at his home on March 26, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born on June 20, 1947, to parents Perley E. Fearon and Josephine Schoff Fearon. Even though he was born across the Connecticut River at the West Stewartstown, N.H., hospital, he was a true Vermonter. He loved growing up in Canaan, Vt., where the outdoors was his playground and adventure was his game. He was graduated from Canaan Memorial High School, class of 1965, with the yearbook ambition: being the first man on the moon!

After graduating from Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vt., in 1967, he joined the Air Force and served four years during the Vietnam War, spending 18 months at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Upon discharge he followed his aerospace ambitions by taking a job with Simmonds Precision in Bellows Falls in 1971. He was transferred in 1973 to the Vergennes plant, where he worked in the electromagnetic interference lab until his retirement from BF Goodrich in June 2012.

Dad was a very private person, a man of few words and a great sense of humor, despite his lack of smile. He had many varied interests. He was a “mountain man” reenactor with the Ethan Allen Long Rifles club and went to Rendezvous with his muzzle loader and tipi. He was a spelunker and helped map caves in the area. He used his artistic bent helping build and paint sets for the Vergennes Union High School musicals. He loved nature and enjoyed working on the Vermont Bald Eagle Project. Dad had an affinity for the macabre, which could be seen through his Halloween displays, handmade skulls and gargoyles or, if lucky enough, taking a trip through his hidden bookcase.

Most of all, Dad lived for his family. He treasured our yearly family tenting trips, especially the ones to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Dad put us first in every aspect of his life and he will always be remembered as The Man, The Myth, The Legend …

Joel leaves behind his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Ruth (Duranleau); his devoted children, Jodi of Ferrisburgh, Jason (Sharon O’Daniel) of Panton and Rebecca (Cullen Johnson) of St Albans; and his three grandchildren, Grey and Petra Fearon and Bram Johnson, who all brought much joy into his life. He also leaves his niece, who he considered a sister, Shellie Fearon Bresnahan of Canaan.

A private burial will take place in his beloved Northeast Kingdom at a later date. We thank the Addison County Home Health & Hospice for helping us keep Dad at home during his last few months. ◊