HAROLD ARTHUR ADAMS

BRANDON — Harold Arthur Adams, 99, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing Home on Jan. 15, 2026. Harold “Harry” was born in Windsor, Conn., on Feb. 11, 1926, son of Alvie Henry Adams and Florence Kingsland Adams. Harold’s parents moved the family to the Arnold District when he was a young boy. Harold was proud of being a resident of Brandon, Vt.

He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Rebecca (Becky); his sister Ione Lee, and granddaughter Christy Carswell. Harry and Becky had five children, Ken (Barbara) of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Dan (Kristie) of Pittsford, Vt.; Steve (Mary) of East Dorset, Vt.; Linda (Stephen) of Goshen, Vt.; and Cindy Carswell of Middlebury, Vt.; nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews. His niece, Patty Lee Jaquith (Gary) of Wallingford, Vt., was especially close to Harold.

With daily assistance from his daughters, Linda and Cindy, Harold lived in his own home until last summer when nursing home care was required. Harold also received excellent care from home aides Diane Bryant, Ashley Adams, and Jodi James. The nursing staff at Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing Home were very professional and caring. While at Porter, Harold also received extra-special devoted care from his daughter, Linda. Harold very much appreciated the many years of friendship shown by his long-time Arnold District neighbors, Kurt and Theresa Kimball; fellow American Legion members Aaron Tucker and Andy Mitchell; and Gary Clark.

Harold graduated from Brandon High School in June 1944 and entered Army basic training at Ft. McClellan, Ala., in September. In January 1945, Harold crossed the North Atlantic aboard the Queen Elizabeth ship carrying 15,000 soldiers. With transport by railroad box cars and Army trucks plus long-distance marching, Harold’s division crossed France and Belgium to arrive in Germany’s Hürtgen Forest for the Battle of the Rhineland, and later the campaign of Central Europe, where he was awarded his Combat Infantryman Badge.

With the end of World War II, Harold returned home in August 1945 with the desire to put war experiences behind him and take responsibility for the family farm. He married Becky Clark on Sept. 7, 1947, and they started building life together on the Arnold District farm. To supplement the farm income, Harold worked day shifts in a marble quarry and construction jobs. Harold was first and foremost a dairy farmer, but for many years his farm also included poultry, raising thousands of chickens. Harold committed himself to a life of hard work.

Harold learned the values of duty, honor, and sacrifice early in life; he turned 19 in Germany as a combat infantry soldier. Harold enjoyed the independence of being a farmer, but he was never far from adversity; summer rainstorms when hay was ready for baling, extreme winter cold that froze water pipes in the dairy barn, machinery breakdowns, and milk prices that barely covered expenses.

For relaxation, Harold was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially enjoyed the challenges of deer hunting and teaching rifle safety. His favorite fishing location was East Creek, and he couldn’t be persuaded to fish lakes and ponds! Harold loved telling hunting and fishing stories and he had a great sense of humor.

For the last decade of his working life, Harold was a machinist for General Electric Co. in Rutland, Vt. After retirement, he was an active member of the Brandon American Legion Post 55, volunteered for the Brandon Food Shelf, and spent many hours in his woodshop making ice fishing tip-ups and trellises. He also shared his love of sports and fishing by organizing pick-up baseball games with local youth and bringing kids fishing at East Creek.

Friends are welcome to join family members for a wake and funeral service at the Miller and Ketcham Funeral Home, 26 Franklin St., Brandon, Vt., on Jan. 24, at 1 p.m., where friends may call from noon until service time at 1 p.m.

Following the ceremony the family will receive friends, for a time of remembrance, at the Warner Brook Training Center, 1040 Corn Hill Road, Pittsford, Vt.

A graveside committal service and burial, with Military Honors, will take place, at a later date in the family lot at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in Harold’s memory to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 232 Brandon, VT 05733 or the Brandon American Legion Post 55 at 550 Franklin Street Brandon, VT 05733. ◊