Gary Julius Atwood, aged 85, of Northfield, VT, passed away on October 15, 2024. Gary was receiving Hospice Care through Bayada while at Woodridge Rehabilitation Nursing Facility. Born to parents; Orrin J. Atwood and Arlene (Avery) Atwood; on November 1, 1938 in Burlington, Vermont. Gary was caring and fun-loving, well known for his humor, jokes and pranks. He had the ability to make you laugh and could converse with anyone about anything! Gary was always willing to lend a helping hand at any time. He loved spending time with his family and spent the better part of the "70's" keeping his youngest brother Dale out of trouble. He enjoyed the outdoors: fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and many other recreational activities. Gary was the President of the Northfield Snowmobilers' Club and was instrumental in starting the Baker's Pond Snowmobile Races. Gary loved spending time training his ponies and competed in Pony Pulling events throughout the state as well as in Maine, New Hampshire and New York. He was a member of the Mid State Drafting Club and the Northeast Kingdom Drafting Club, competing in the 1400lb. class with his team of Tony, Fred or Jack. He and Lisa spent many years camping at Apple Tree Bay in South Hero and presently at Goosepoint Campground in Alburgh. No matter what Gary spent his time doing, he always appreciated the life-long friends he made along the way. Gary got great pleasure making people laugh. Anyone that knew Gary, knows he had an uncanny ability to create new words to the English language.

Gary attended Waterbury Elementary School for a few years and then his family relocated to Northfield. He has spent most of his life living and serving the Northfield Community. He attended the Northfield Public Schools graduating from Northfield High School in June 1957. Gary was a man of many talents and many jobs. He began working at Norwich University in 1958, starting at the "soda fountain" then the bookstore. His most memorable positions in which he believed he had the largest impact and interactions with students and staff was working as the Athletics Equipment Manager, Ski Area Manager and then as the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. During that time, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame (September 2000); he received the Kay Bowen Award; (April 2002) and was named an Honorary Alumnus -"Class of 1999" from the Norwich Alumni Association. Gary retired from Norwich University in April 2003 after 45 years of service.

While his full time job was at Norwich University, Gary was self-employed owning a painting business, glass business, janitorial and trash removal business and cut firewood and logged the forests across the town of Northfield and surrounding areas. He also delivered milk for College View Dairy. Gary provided custodial services to many local businesses and parishes in town. Gary worked as a part time Police officer for the town of Northfield and took great pride in serving his community in this capacity. Gary joined the Vermont Army National Guard and was assigned to Range Control at the Ethan Allen Firing Range and served for 29 years, retiring on November 30, 1998 at the rank of Staff Sergeant-E6. The last employment Gary held was providing custodial services at the Army National Guard Building, located on the Norwich University campus. He fully retired in September 2014.

Gary is survived by his wife Lisa (Mattei) Atwood of Northfield and his three daughters: Lauren Neun (Scott) of Northfield Falls, Michelle Bean (Dana), of Northfield, and Nicole Cook (Christopher) of Largo, FL. Gary is also survived by Karen Atwood the mother of his three daughters. His brothers: Brent Atwood (Gloria), and Bernard Atwood both of Northfield, Dale Atwood (Wendy) of Barre; and sister Penny Atwood and partner Richard Pregant of Swanton. Grandchildren: Mackenzie Neun, Camden Bean, Liam and Aidan Cook and great-grand daughter, Ellie LaPlante along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Gary is predeceased by his father Orrin, his mother Arlene, his brother Avery and nephew Kevin Atwood.

Gary's end of life services will be held at the Kingston Funeral Home on Slate Avenue in Northfield, on November 1, 2024 from 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. Refreshments will follow at the Northfield American Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bayada Home Health Care (bayada.com); For the Love of Dogs-Vermont (fortheloveofdogsvermont.com) or Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice (interland3.donorperfect.net)