Roger Maynard

BENNINGTON - Roger E. Maynard, 94, a lifelong resident of Wilmington, died peacefully on Saturday, May 21, at the Center For Living and Rehabilitation, where he had resided for over two years.
The son of Eleoda and Mary (Buffum) Maynard, he was born in Wilmington on November 1, 1927.  He grew up on the family farm, received his education in Wilmington schools, and was a 1945 graduate of Wilmington High School. Following his graduation, World War II was still active and he entered the US Navy, where he served until 1947, being discharged as a Seaman First Class.
Roger began a lifelong career at Deerfield Valley Supply in 1947, where he eventually became the general manager of five businesses, including heating, propane delivery, and building supplies. He retired in 2010. Not ready for full retirement and with his strong work ethic, he traveled to Bennington to take computer courses, enabling him to work from home in sales offering solar panels. He was honored as “Wilmington Citizen of the Year” in May 2011 and in 2019 was honored with the quilt of valor from the Deerfield Valley Quilt of Valor Foundation at Memorial Day Festivities. He was a lifetime member of the Wilmington American Legion.
Roger enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He loved being with family and those around him became family, which brought him great joy. Following the death of his wife Barbara in 2018, he began to spend time with his daughter Linda in Florida where he liked to take “mystery rides,” and eat lots of seafood as well as enjoy the ocean. Roger attended the Valley Town Church and while in Florida he became active in Linda’s church.
Roger will be remembered as a hardworking man. As a young family man, he took to trapping and sold the pelts to Sears Roebuck & Company. To put an addition on his home to accommodate his growing family, he cut trees, had the lumber sawn, and built the addition. Roger will be remembered as having a heart of gold.
He leaves his daughters Linda Maynard, of North Lauderdale, FL, and Jacquelyn Maynard, of Woodstock, GA; sons David Maynard, of Sebec, ME, and Steven Maynard, of Wilmington; sister Vera Deyo, of Brattleboro; brother-in-law Paul Rafuse, of Long Island, NY; and sister-in-law Harriet Maynard, of Wilmington; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Rafuse) Maynard on June 24, 2018; brothers Reginald, Allison, and Peter Maynard; daughter Beverly Bickford; and sister Jacquelyn Bradley.
A celebration of life will take place at the Valley Town Church in Wilmington, followed by burial with military honors in the Riverview Cemetery, which will be held at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Deerfield Valley Meals on Wheels program or The Gathering Place in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send personal condolences to the family visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.