Stanley R. Orr, 92, of Radcliffe Drive, Waitsfield, passed away in
the comfort of his family at the Central Vermont Medical Center in
Berlin on Thursday, January 1, 2009. Born in Calais on September 3,
1916, he was the son of the late Fred and Mabel (Slayton) Orr. On
August 18, 1945, Stanley married the former Eleanor Wells in
Plainfield.
Stanley was a graduate of the former Plainfield High School and as a
young man he worked on the family farm in Calais. His specialty was
raising turkeys. In 1946, he purchased the Hardware Store in Marshfield
and with it founded a plumbing and heating business. Moving to
Waitsfield in 1959, Stanley continued his plumbing and heating business
and in addition, with his wife, began a ski lodge known as Orr's Ark, a
longtime institution in the Mad River Valley. Stanley retired in 1975
and, with Eleanor, began traveling in their mobile home throughout the
lower 48 states as well as Alaska, an adventure they completely enjoyed
for nearly 30 years. Stanley also loved hunting and fishing.
His memberships included the Couples Club in Waitsfield, the Waitsfield
United Church of Christ, the Valley Rotary Club and was a founding
member of the Mad River Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club.
Stanley is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor Orr of Waitsfield;
a daughter, Deborah Orr of Moretown; a son, Reginald Orr and his wife
Kathi of Waitsfield; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren;
as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Stanley was predeceased
by two children, Peggy Orr and Brian Orr, as well as three sisters and
seven brothers.
Memorial services were held from the Waitsfield United Church of Christ
on Wednesday, January 7, at 6:30 p.m. The family requests that flowers
be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Mad River
Valley Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673. To send
online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com.
