Norwich, VT- Stuart Thompson Close, 65, died Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center following a twelve-year battle with a brain tumor.

Born January 30, 1960, in Hanover, NH, Stuart, better known as Stu or Stuey, was the son of Thompson and Ardis (Moore) Close and brother to Elissa Close and Ellen DesMeules. Growing up in Norwich, VT, he was an avid athlete, playing hockey from an early age—often on a backyard rink—and teaching himself to ski on slalom courses he set up in the front lawn. Both would become lifelong passions. Eventually, he played hockey and football for Hanover High School (and later skated with the Storm Kings and Jay Campion's morning group), while spending summers working at his father's company, Blaktop. He graduated from Hanover High in 1978.

Stuart went on to study at the University of Vermont. It was there that he forged a tight-knit, life-long group of friends, known as the Airbears, who bonded over their love of skiing. Halfway through college, he and a handful of those bears spent a winter ski bumming in Jackson, Wyoming, a place that would forever remain close to Stu's heart. He returned to UVM a year later and graduated in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in business. Stu then headed west again, landing a job as a ski photographer at Washington's Crystal Mountain.

In the mid '80s, Stuart moved home to Vermont. He initially partnered up with two childhood friends to start a carpentry business—what went on to become Birdseye Builders—before going to work for Blaktop. After his father's passing in 1989, Stuart became president of Blaktop and managed the business as well as Twin State Sand and Gravel alongside his late partner and friend, Bud Ames. In his 37 years at Blaktop and Twin State, Stuart was a caring boss and mentor, cherished for his calm leadership. He considered his employees his second family, always making sure to leave his door open so folks could stop to visit or ask questions.

While on a ski trip to Jackson in 1993, the Airbears set him up with his future wife, Kristin McLeod Brown. The couple wed in 1997 on the full moon, summer solstice in the meadow at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe—a place they joyfully visited every anniversary. A pair of old souls, these two shared the deepest love.

Besides Kristin, Stu leaves behind two children he adored, Greta and Bridger, with whom he shared his passions for hockey, skiing, the outdoors and photography. He was a dedicated coach for both and within the community. One of his favorite family activities was Stu's Adventure Sunday. He would surprise Kristin and the kids with a hike, a mountain bike ride, and even a glider ride one Sunday, keeping his best laid plans a secret until they got there. It was always fun…well, except when he lost the trail, and the family had to bushwhack down the mountain through prickers.

After his third brain surgery in 2019, life became more challenging for Stu. Through it all, he never complained nor wavered in his bright attitude, good sense of humor and effort to seize the day, enjoying rail trail bike rides, sled hockey games, adaptive skiing and many great, creative adventures with Kristin and their kids.

Stu was a giant, not in stature nor physical strength but in character—a humble, salt of the earth human, the kindest and gentlest soul who, when asked how he managed to keep going towards the end, said, "I don't want to let anyone down." And he never did.

Stu is survived by his wife Kristin, children Greta and Bridger, sisters Elissa and Ellen, and seven nieces and nephews who he loved greatly.

A celebration of life will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Norwich Congregational Church in Norwich, VT. Please come dressed in something that connected you to Stu (i.e. hockey or sports jersey, Blaktop sweatshirt, Prouty wear, ski hat... whatever makes you think of Stu!)

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (vermontadaptive.org) or  Stu's Prouty team, "Stu's Crew" (getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/site/TR). Our family will be riding in The Prouty on July 12 and would love for anyone to join us. "Stu would go!"