It was interesting to listen to Stuart's co-workers talking about him and that they never learned that he could sing until his retirement party - According to his obituary, that is how he got his start in television:
STUART BUTLER HALL SOUTH BURLINGTON - Stuart Butler Hall, of South Burlington, passed away quietly on Sept. 25, 2011, at the Arbors in Shelburne. He was 90. He was born on Feb. 26, 1921, in Taunton, Mass. to William and Pauline (Butler) Hallahan. Stuart served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, in the South Pacific area, on the Battle Cruiser Alaska. Following the service, his main interest was in radio and television. He studied Broadcast Management and Technology at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. In 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen (Dixie) Stuart, of Canton, Mass. He began his broadcasting career at radio station WJDA in Quincy, Mass. and WHIT in New Bern, N.C. His first television appearance was in April 1949, as a contestant on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout program. He was declared a winner that week and appeared on subsequent programs. At the time he was also the lead singer with "Stuart Hall and his Orchestra," in the greater Boston area. In 1954, he was offered the position of Assistant Production Manager at WCAX-TV in Burlington. He also became the Channel 3 weatherman, which he loved from the start. He was promoted to Production Manager in 1957 and Vice President of Production in 1972. What he cherished most about his job was his viewers and the wonderful letters he received from them daily. Stuart served for a number of years on the Board of Trustees of the South Burlington Chapter of the Citizen's Scholarship Foundation of America, and also of the South Burlington Kiwanis Club. He was a longtime member of the choir at the Catholic Center at UVM. He was also a volunteer worker at the Center for the Study of Aging at UVM. He was honored in 1990 as the Broadcaster of the Year by the Vermont Association of Broadcasters. He was further honored in 1994 by the prestigious Fairbanks Award for his dedication to environmental understanding and appreciation. On his retirement program, Jan. 12, 1990, he thanked his viewers for the many good wishes he received. He was completely surprised to see Governor Madeline Kunin step up beside him and proclaimed that the twelfth day of Jan. 1990, was Stuart Hall Day in the state of Vermont. Stuart loved a good snowstorm and the skiing it brought along with it. Hot summer days were often spent sailing, playing tennis or bicycling. Stuart is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen; his daughter, Elizabeth (Sib) Gurney and her husband, Paul, and her daughters, Sarah and Jessica; his son, Chris Hall and his wife, Susan, and their children, Evan and Andrew; a niece, Donna Nelson; a nephew, David Reed; and several cousins. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jennifer Gilwee, the VNA Hospice Program and a special thank you to the staff at The Arbors in Shelburne. In accordance to Stuart's wishes, there will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine's Church in Shelburne. A reception following the service will be announced at the church. Arrangements by Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit
www.readyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The VT Alzheimer's Association , 300 Cornerstone Drive, Williston, VT 05495.
