Norwich, VT - Jesse M. Stanley, Sr., 81, died peacefully Wednesday, June 24th, surrounded by family. He was 81. Jesse was the second son of Wilbur and Irene (Smith) Stanley, born at home April 23, 1934. Jesse grew up in Union Village, VT attending the town's one room school house thru 8th grade, and graduated from Hanover High School in 1952. On March 29, 1953, Palm Sunday, Jesse married Gladys E. Nutbrown, and together they raised their family starting in Thetford then moving to Norwich, VT in 1959, where they remained.

As a young adult Jesse worked with his father from logging trees with a two-man crosscut hand saw to mining at the Elizabeth Copper Mine in Strafford, VT. He, along with many other family members, worked for a time at Dan & Whit's General Store in Norwich. He also served as a volunteer fireman for Norwich. Later, after spending a number of years in clerical and sales jobs, he partnered with George French in the building construction business. He acquired the business from George renaming it JM Stanley Contracting; he then moved on to work for other construction companies including
Trumbull-Nelson Construction until retirement.

Jesse was handy and clever as a skilled master craftsman, inventing a door/window jig for which he obtained a patent. In retirement he carved and crafted beautiful wooden boxes as a hobby. Favorite past times included hunting and fishing especially with his young grandson and great-grandson Noah and Wyatt. And he always had a great story to tell to any ready listener.

His wife Gladys predeceased him in 2010 after nearly 57 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Virginia Cook of White River Jct, VT; two brothers Thomas Stanley and wife Gladys of Bradford, VT, Jerry Stanley and Diane Crowley of White River Jct, VT; his friend and companion Gloria Henry of Corinth, VT; a daughter, Stephanie Raymond and husband Philip of Lebanon, NH; three sons, Jesse Stanley Jr and wife Sharlene of Ellenburg Center, NY, Dean Stanley and wife Doralie of Thetford, VT, David Stanley and wife Sonya of Bethel, VT; one granddaughter, Angie Leduc and husband Kevin of Lebanon, NH; six grandsons, Christopher Raymond of Norwich, VT, Thomas Stanley of Newport, NH, Edward Stanley
and wife Sarah of Lyme, NH, Andrew Stanley and wife Julie of Jacksonville, FL, Zachary Stanley of Norwich, VT, and Noah Stanley of Bethel, VT; seven great-grandchildren (Nathan, Gavin, Wyatt, Cora, Kaelyn, William, and Emalie); and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service, officiated by Pastor Nathan Peets, will be held at the Thetford Baptist Church in East Thetford, VT on Saturday, July 11th at 2pm. Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct, VT assisted with arrangements. His family offer their gratitude and appreciation to the kind and caring staff at Lebanon Center of Genesis Health Care.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Root District Game Club, PO Box 42, Norwich, VT 05055-0042 in support of the Root Schoolhouse Project, rootschoolhouse.org.