Arnold F. Eastman Sr., 76, of Moretown Common Road, Moretown, passed away in the comfort of his family at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Born in Waterbury on March 30, 1935, he was the son of the late Nelson E. and Nellie May (Dillingham) Eastman. On December 25, 1953, he married the former Irene M. Raymond in Waterbury Center.
Arnold was a 1953 graduate of Waterbury High School and, as a young man, worked at the former Eldredge Lumber Mill in Waterbury for several years. Arnold then went to work dairy farming, first for Ralph Tibbetts in Waterbury Center, then Edward Eurich in Waitsfield, and later for Everett Maynard in Moretown. Looking to be an entrepreneur, Arnold began Eastman Rubbish Removal that served the Mad River Valley, which he operated for many years with his son, Arnold Jr. He then assisted his son Randy at Bonnette’s Garage in Waitsfield before being employed as a car salesman for Foster Chevrolet in Waterbury. Most recently he worked for Fisher Auto Parts in Waitsfield.
Arnold served the town of Moretown as a member of the school board, was a member and former chief for 10 years of the Moretown Volunteer Fire Department, was a 20-year member of the Moretown Cemetery Commission and served as a trustee for the Moretown United Methodist Church. His other memberships included the Mad River Lodge #77, F&AM of Waitsfield, and the Waterbury and Waitsfield Senior Citizens. Arnold was a lifelong animal lover and was an avid NASCAR enthusiast, following in particular Rusty Wallace. His family fondly remembers Arnold for being a loving husband and father and the joy his grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave him.
Arnold is survived by his wife of 57 years, Irene Eastman of Moretown; their children, Sherry Howes and her husband Duane of Moretown, Arnold Eastman Jr. and his companion Heather Pearson of Duxbury, and Randy Eastman and his wife Dale of New Port Richey, FL; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Janice Graves of Montpelier and Carolyn Milo of Claremont, NH; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Eastman of Waitsfield; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Arnold was predeceased by a sister, Nancy Peters, and a brother, Carroll Eastman.
Friends are invited to call at the family home from 1 to 5 p.m. beginning on Saturday, April 16, through Friday, April 22. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Central Vermont Humane Society, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601 (www.cvhumane.com) or to the Moretown United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 516, Moretown, VT 05660. To send online condolences please visit us at www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
