Reginald E. Ellingwood

LEMINGTON, VT-- Reginald Ernest Ellingwood, 64, of Lemington, Vt., died following a tragic accident on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at his favorite place in the world, Broken Arrow Camp on Sims Hill. His last moments were spent accompanied by his dog Freckles, while carefully caring for the maintenance and appearance of his most treasured place, which may bring some comfort to all in the community who are grieving for this sudden and unexpected loss. Reggie was born in West Stewartstown, NH, on September 22, 1947, the only child and pride and joy of his parents, the late Ernest “Bub” and Jeannette Mary (Holbrook) Ellingwood. He grew up as an active outdoor boy, hunting, fishing, farming and going places with his family. He was educated in Colebrook schools, including the one room Grand Division School in Columbia. He graduated from Colebrook Academy, Class of 1966. He was a member of the first graduating class of the NH Technical Institute in Berlin, earning an Associate Degree in Applied Science. He also attended Detroit Diesel School in Michigan for further post-graduate training. He later moved to Lancaster, NH, making a home there for 30 years with his growing family. Reggie worked at Timberland Machines Inc. in Lancaster for 35 years. He served them in several capacities including heavy equipment mechanic, the trusted technician for their travelling snowmobile race team in the 70s, and with his expertise in small engine maintenance and repair, he spent a number of years as their service manager. Reggie was greatly respected by those who knew him in the power equipment industry throughout New England. In 1999, he moved home to Lemington and traded in a ringing telephone and paperwork to pursue the type of work he enjoyed most. This included milking cows at the Coos County Farm and grooming snowmobile trails for the Canaan Border Riders. Most recently, he was employed by the NH Trails Bureau as an equipment operator in Pittsburg. He meticulously cared for the miles of roads in the beautiful Great North Woods. He was also a self-employed logger, harvesting wood on Monadnock Mountain with his vintage Timberjack skidder. Reggie was a longtime Lemington Selectman, a member of the Lemington Stillbillies, and a proud Vermonter. He was a key organizer for Lemington's recent 250th celebration. As a steward of the land, Reggie’s most recent project was finalizing a land conservation easement on a portion of the family farm to preserve open space for generations to come. Partnered with the Vermont River Conservancy, Holbrook Point, on the Connecticut River, now provides water and footpath access to paddlers, fishermen and visitors. Reggie was at home when he was outside in nature. Whether he was out trimming grass, mowing, gardening, or cutting wood, he found comfort in the outdoors. His sanctuary was in the woods and hunting was his passion. He enjoyed year-round game hunting in places he would simply reveal as “somewhere in Vermont.” Reggie was known for his well-calculated “pranks” now and again, which always turned into tales that were retold to full audiences sitting by the fire at camp. He took great pride in everything he did and never left any task unfinished. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Though he had a quiet profile you always knew that the needs of his wife, his girls, grandchildren, family, friends and neighbors were close to his heart. Reggie leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 45 years Myra (Daley) Ellingwood of Lemington; his four cherished daughters, Sharon Ellingwood and Nicholas Villa of North Stonington, Conn., Tricia Ellingwood and Bradley Ruel of Gorham, NH, Beth and Jason Walter of Watford City, ND, and Jeannette and Daniel Hook of Brunswick, Vt.; six grandchildren, Samuel Ellingwood Villa, Joseph Ellingwood, and Macala, Adrienne, Maya, and Aly Hook. Extended family includes Frances Vitale of Lemington, Paul, Edward & Joseph Daley and their families; along with his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Reggie is preceded in death by his mother in 2008 and his father in 2010. Calling hours will be on Thursday, August 9, 2012, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, August 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Colebrook. Burial will immediately follow at the Lemington Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Reggie may be made to The Vermont River Conservancy, Attn: Steve Libby, 29 Main Street, Suite 11, Montpelier, VT 05602; or online at www.vermontriverconservancy.org. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Local funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Reginald E. Ellingwood

September 22, 1947 - August 5, 2012