WINDSOR, VT
Gerald "Jardy" Jarvis Rice, 84, a longtime resident of Windsor passed away quietly next to the love of his life early Sunday morning, September 28 at his home in Windsor.
He was born August 4, 1930 in Claremont, NH the son of Gerald Henry and Evelyn M. (Jarvis) Rice. Jardy grew up in Windsor. He spent his 6th birthday in Children's Hospital in Boston completely paralyzed with polio and made a full recovery. He attended Windsor schools playing football, basketball and running track. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and winning the Goodyear Scout of the Year competition. He graduated from Windsor High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Vermont from 1948 to 1950. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada where he served as a Systems Mechanic of F-86 Saber jets. Following his honorable discharge he returned to UVM in 1956, where he met and then married his true love, Shirley I. Humphreys on February 16, 1957. He graduated from UVM in the spring of 1957.
Mr. Rice began his long career in the insurance industry as a special agent with The Hartford Insurance Group. He was also a member of the Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc. in Newport, VT and owned and operated Connecticut Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. in Windsor for many years until his retirement in 1988.
Jardy served as past president and director of the Vermont Independent Insurance Agents Association, past president of the Windsor Rotary Club, past director of the Windsor Library, Windsor Improvement Corporation, Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Historic Windsor, Inc., and the Macawee Trout Club. He was also an original incorporator of the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Windsor, where he was a member of the Father Fontaine Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Windsor American Legion Post #25 and was part of the fraternity Lambda Iota at UWM.
He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed reading, history, golf and genealogy. At last count he had over 21,000 names of ancestors and cousins in his portfolio. His greatest passion was his family to whom he would pass the torch of knowledge and heritage with his many stories.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Shirley I. Rice of Windsor, daughter Susan Anderson and her husband, Kevin of Windsor and their children, Erika, Benjamin and Emily, daughter Mary Beth Hammond and her husband, Kevin of Hartland, VT and their children, Bethany and her husband, Mark and their daughter, Rory, WD Scott and his son, Brayden, and Tyler, son Michael Rice and his wife, Anong of Windsor and their children, Michelle and David, son Peter Rice and his wife, Maria "Lucy" of Tucson, AZ and their children, Shirley, Peter and Maria, and son G. Matthew Rice and his wife, Sarah of Windsor and their child, Henry.
Visitation will be held Thursday evening, October 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 3 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home, with Susie Webster-Toleno, Spiritual Advisor for Bayada Hospice, officiating.
The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor is entrusted with the arrangements.