White River Jct., VT – A.W. "Stub" Aldrich, died peacefully Wednesday evening, March 2, 2022 at his home in White River Jct. This Windsor/White River icon was born July 8, 1930, in Lebanon, NH the son of Lawrence and Adell A. (LaFoe) Aldrich. He grew up in Enfield and graduated from Mascoma High School. In 1951, he married Teresa Sausville in the church in Enfield, NH.

Shortly after, he joined the US Army and was sent to Korea. A paperwork "mix up" placed him on the front lines before he had received full training. Stub was a quick study. He was granted an early release for his bravery and work ethic. He returned to the Upper Valley and started his long career with Sanborn Oil Company. He drove delivery truck, worked on furnaces, and basically did a little of everything. Stub was a real people person, and it didn't take long before he pretty much knew everyone in the entire Upper Valley.

After thirty years with the oil company, he decided it was time to do something a little different. He and Teresa purchased the Polk-A-Dot Restaurant in downtown White River. He, Teresa and daughter, Andrea operated the Polka Dot for a few years. He later sold the restaurant to Mary Shatney. As Mary spent more and more time away from the restaurant, Stub found himself running the place. He thought for all the work he was doing, he might as well be owning his own place again and began looking for his new location. His nephew's girlfriend, Laura Jennings Ryll was also looking to do something different, so the two of them teamed up, found a nice spot-on Route 5, North of Windsor and opened "Stub and Laura's Restaurant" in 1988. They were a great team, family actually, and operated the very successful business for the next twenty years. The long hours and endless work proved to be some of the best years of Stub's life. They sold the restaurant in 2008, but you couldn't really say Stub retired. He was always busy doing something.

He loved his property on Winsor Drive in White River and found great pleasure in keeping it "just so"! That meant raking, painting, regular upkeep and especially tending to his beloved flower gardens- a labor of love right up until his health would no longer permit it. Not to worry though, he recruited his life partner, Steve and his grandson, Garrett to pick up the slack.

It is true that Stub really enjoyed visiting with folks. A routine trip to the store that should have taken fifteen minutes always was a couple of hours. And when he was catching up with old friends, he was shopping, even if he didn't buy anything, Stub just loved to shop.

Stub had a soft spot for all kinds of animals, but especially stray cats. Any cat that showed up at the back door of the restaurant would end up at his home, much to his wife's dismay. At one point it was rumored he and Teresa were caring for twenty-seven cats. Of all these pleasures, the one that Stub loved the most, was spending time with his beloved grandson, Garrett, who was always the light of Stub's eye, and great grandchildren Emmett and Ellie. Stub would always make it to Garrets games, take him shopping, go for ice cream or just spend quality time by the pool watching him swim.

He truly enjoyed when Garrett would come over and do cookouts at Bubbas house!  He loved having Garrett and his friends come swim in the pool and hang out.

Stub was predeceased by his wife, Teresa, brother, Alton L. Aldrich and sister, Marion Miller.

Stub is survived by his daughter, Andrea of White River Jct., VT, grandson, Garrett G. Wilson and his wife, Emily and their two children, Emmett and Ellie of White River Jct., adopted daughter and business partner, Laura G. Jennings-Ryll, her husband, Jim and their daughter Chelsea of Ascutney, VT, son-in-law, Rick Wilson of White River Jct., VT, life companion, Steven C. Phillips, step grandchildren, John Phillips of Washington State and Heidi Phillips of Utah.

The family would also like to give their sincerest appreciation and thanks to Bayada Hospice for their extra special care, making Stubs days enlightened. He especially loved seeing Jen, Sam, Krista and Bonnie. He looked forward to their visits everyday!

At Stub's request no services will be held at this time. Condolences may be made to Stub's family at an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com . The Knight Funeral in White River Jct., VT is honored to be assisting the Aldrich family with Stub's services. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748.