GREGORY “MITCH” EUGENE MITCHELL

LINCOLN — Gregory “Mitch” Eugene Mitchell, 75, of Lincoln, Vt., peacefully passed away Feb. 6, 2024, surrounded by family, following complications from a scheduled surgery. Mitch was born in Schenectady, N.Y., on Feb. 17, 1948, to Stanley Anthony and Roberta Alice (Jette) Mitchell.

Growing up in upstate New York, he was raised with his younger sisters by his mother, as well as his beloved grandmother, Alice. At a young age, and upon the unexpected passing of his father, he found his way as an active member of the Boy Scouts, where he enjoyed learning life skills with his fellow scouts, many of whom became life-long friends.

He graduated from Burnt Hills High School in 1966 and then briefly attended college in Scotts Bluff, Neb. After his time in college he found himself hitchhiking across the country, eventually settling in New York City working as an automotive mechanic. From there, and upon a coin toss between Colorado and Vermont, he and his best friend, Gary Boring, followed fate to the Green Mountain state in New England. Later, he would become an officer with the South Burlington Police Department, and he soon met Julie (Frechette) Ziter and her son, Jason. Mitch and Julie married in June of 1977, and had two more sons, Benjamin Arthur, and George Elliott. They lived for many years on Lost Nation Road in Essex, where he also worked as a detective for the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office.

In 1989, Mitch and Julie divorced, and Mitch established what was affectionately known as “camp” for he and the boys on Lake Iroquois in Hinesburg, Vt. Mitch worked as an insurance salesman, and in snowmaking for Sugarbush Ski Resort to support many years of adventures including boating, biking, fishing, skiing, shooting, swimming, camping, and many others. He would find companionship with longtime-friend, Twig Notman, and settled as ‘the old man on the mountain’ in Lincoln, Vt. He loved his final career as an elevator repair technician and retired from Bay State Elevator in December 2013.

Mitch was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Roberta; his sister Jane “Janie Claire” Harrington and her husband Jeffrey Harrington; and his beloved friends Jim Langeway and Gary Boring.

He is survived by his son Benjamin (Stacy) Mitchell and grandchildren Meghan, Michael and Elana of Denver, Colo.; his son George (Jillian) Mitchell and grandchildren Tucker, Elsa and August of South Woodstock, Vt.; Stepson Jason (Michelle) Ziter, and their children Adam, Nicolas and Jayden; and Julie (Frechette) Carter of Essex, Vt.; Twig Notman, of Corinth, Vt. and her daughters Annye and Camaya; his sister Karen (Paul) Pitman of Queensbury, N.Y.; nephews Daniel, Sean and Jeffrey and many other close friends and extended family members.

A local celebration of his life will be held at Burnham Hall, Lincoln, Vt., on Feb. 24, 2024, from 2-4 p.m.

A private reception for family and close friends, along with Mitch’s transition to his final resting place, will be held later this summer in Burnt Hills, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mitch’s memory can be made to the Lincoln Community Trust or any other charity of your choice.◊