Bellows Falls, VT - Karl Lester Short, 76, died Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH.

He was born April 1, 1949, in Springfield, VT and grew up in the Springfield and Bellows Falls Area. Karl began working full time at a young age and learned a great work ethic early on. He worked at the Robertson Paper Mill in Bellows Falls, as a crane operator at ABC drywall, briefly as cider press operator at Allen Brothers in Westminster, and most recently as a machine operator at the Putney Paper Mill until he retired.

Karl was a single father during a time when it wasn't common for a man to be raising a daughter on his own. The family lived on the corner of Atkinson Street at the bottom of red-light hill in Bellows Falls for many years.

When he wasn't working, Karl loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter and best friend, Elisa. He also enjoyed the simple things in life, like sitting on his daughter's front porch enjoying the view, fishing off the dock of a local boat landing, or a good laugh from joking with friends.

Karl was always willing to help a friend in need and was a natural at fixing things, whether it be repairing body work on a car, or fixing a VCR back in the day.

He is survived by his daughters, Frances Short and husband James P. Stark Sr. of Putney, and Karla Hill of Springfield; grandchildren, Elisa J. Stark, James P. Stark, Jr, Shawn, Daniel, and Jerica Hill.

He was predeceased by a sister, Anita and his yellow lab, Sam.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, June 27, 2025 beginning at 5:30pm at the family property in Putney, VT.

Condolences to Karl's family may be made in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.