Raymond Howard Sweet Of Fletcher Passes Away

RAY HOWARD SWEET FLETCHER — Ray Howard Sweet, age 89, a lifelong resident of Fletcher, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2006, in Copley Manor Nursing Home in Morrisville. He was born the son of the late Earl and Ethel (Barker) Sweet on Nov. 12, 1916, in Fletcher. He graduated from Cambridge High School, Class of 1934. Ray married the love of his life, Esther, on Nov. 7, 1942. He loved his horses, and it showed, as Ray was a founding member of Northwestern Riding & Driving Club, a member of Green Mountain Draft Horse Association, the Haflinger Association and past director of United Farmers. Ray was a Fletcher school director for 12 years and Fletcher town lister for 21 years. He was a committed dairy farmer as a delegate of Eastern Milk Producers, and an original member of the Artificial Breeders Association. Ray was loved by all and will be missed dearly by those who had the true pleasure to know him. The family would like to express a special thanks to the Copley Manor Nursing Home staff for the loving care and attention administered to Ray during his stay. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Esther C. Sweet, of Fletcher; four sons, Eric L. Sweet and wife Aline, of Fletcher, Dana H. Sweet of Cambridge, Robin L. Sweet Sr. and his wife, Lynda, of Fletcher, Naham P. Sweet and wife Brenda of Va.; two daughters, Bonnie Hitchcock and her husband, John O., of Jeffersonville, Candy Morey and her husband, William, of Cambridge; one brother, Arlan Sweet of Jeffersonville; one sister, Arlie Williamson of Jeffersonville; one sister-in-law, Margaret Sweet of Enosburg; 15 grandchildren; and 16 greatgrandchildren. Ray was also predeceased by two brothers, Donald Sweet and Guy Sweet; one sister, Shirley Mason; two infant sisters, Shirley and Beverly; and one brother-in-law, Marvin Williamson. Visiting hours will be held in Binghamville United Church Thursday May 11, 2006, from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of the funeral service at 12:30 p.m, also at Binghamville United Church, with the Rev. Elizabeth Griffin officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot in Binghamville Cemetery, Fletcher. Memorial contributions may be made in Ray's memory to the American Heart Association Vermont Chapter Inc., 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, Vt. 05495, the American Diabetes Association, Vermont Affiliate Inc., 1 Kennedy Drive, suite L8, South Burlington, Vt. 05403, or to Alzheimer Association Vt./N.H. Chapter, 10 Ferry St. Suite 42B Concord, N.H. 03301. Those who wish may forward online condolences to the family by visiting http://www.awrichfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A.W. Rich Funeral Home, Fairfax Chapel, 1176 Main St. Fairfax, Vt. 05454.