Norwich, VT – Fred M. Spaulding, 86, died Sunday, October 27, 2019 at his home in Norwich.

He was born July 7, 1933 in Tunbridge, VT one of five children born to Bert and Doris Spaulding.   He graduated from Hartford High School before serving in Morocco with the US Air Force.  After returning from his military service he met the love of his life, Dora Cook.  They were married May 22, 1954 in Norwich where they made a home and raised their family of four children.

Fred worked for the State of Vermont Highway Department before becoming a heavy equipment operator, first for his brother-in-law at LH Cook and later for Larry Godfrey.  During his 55 year career in the local excavation industry he became well known for his expert skills operating a bulldozer creating many local ponds, pools and golf courses. "Don't bother with grade stakes, I'll just bury them anyway", he always said.  For the past twenty years he has worked for himself, plowing driveways and mowing lawns with his John Deere tractor. Fred was mowing as recently as a week ago.

Fred and Dora loved to travel the US, visiting as many national parks as they could with their fifth wheel camper in tow.  Their most memorable trip was to Alaska where they spent a month exploring the region. Their time at the Arctic Circle, as well as Yosemite National Park and Redwood National Park were highlights.

Fred enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping as well as auto racing.  He not only enjoyed watching NASCAR racing, but participating in Spaulding Motor Sports #86 with his son Gary, racing their late model cars at Bear Ridge Speedway for several years.

He was also active in his community, serving on the Norwich Fire Department for many years including Assistant Chief for 29 years and was also a Norwich Cemetery Commissioner.

Fred's wisdom about life was boundless and he was happy to share it with his witty sense of humor and his unforgettable smile. He was a simple, real, genuine man and a very supportive and compassionate husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his loving wife Dora, of Norwich, VT with whom he recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, their four children Deborah Hatch and her husband Richard of Wilder, Don Spaulding and his wife Pam of Lebanon, Gary Spaulding and his wife Mikayla of Orford, and Lisa Straley and her partner David of Shoreham, a dear friend with whom he shared donuts and mowing lawns every Saturday.  He held very dear each of his ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, Jason and Cassie Spaulding (Kyle, Leah), Justin and Jodi Spaulding (Rhys, Harper), Chris and Laurie Hatch (Brayden, Cole), Jeremy and Megan Hatch (Layla, Zoe), Kristen and Spencer Kilduff (Lincoln), Steph and Tom McHugh, Emily and Owen Cushman, Lydia Spaulding, Britany Straley, and Allison Straley. He also leaves a sister Eliza Mae Clay of Hartford as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers John, George and Leonard Spaulding and a sister Mabel Ballou.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT from 4-6pm. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 2, at 2:00 pm at the Norwich Congregational Church in Norwich VT with burial in the Hillside Cemetery in Norwich, and a reception following at the Norwich Parish House.

Condolences may be expressed to Fred's family in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Spring Road Cemetery Association in Tunbridge, VT and mailed to Pat Derrick at 33 Ravenswood Terrace, White River Junction, VT 05001.