Francis Eugene Momaney, Sr.

Francis Eugene Momaney Sr., of West Dummerston, died Easter morning, March 23, at Grace Cottage Hospital, under the care of Dr. Timothy Shafer and Dr. Moss Linder. Born on July 6, 1929 in Brattleboro, son of Dolfe and Edna Cloutier Momaney, he attended St. Michael's School, and had many stories to tell of Brattleboro and its cast of characters. As a youth, he worked for "Farmer" Bailey in Mr. Bailey's commercial greenhouses on Canal Street. Mr. Bailey was a retired New England Champion wrestler, and was a contributor to Mr. Momaney's lifelong love of gardening.

Mr. Momaney also worked for Berkshire Spinning for five years, in the Cotton Mill Complex, along with many members of his family, and was later employed by the CF Church Company, on Flat Street.

In 1951 he joined the Army Engineers, serving in Germany as a combat construction specialist, building floating bridges. He received the Army of Occupation Medal upon his honorable discharge in 1953. At a dance shortly after his return, Russell Mears introduced him to Jean Bruce, and it was the beginning of an everlasting love. They were married on November 5, 1955. His love for his wife was boundless, and was matched only by her energy and enthusiasm. The two of them shared a great love of the outdoors, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Many happy days and weeks were spent at the family camp, T9R5, in The County (northern Aroostook, Maine). Many friends and family members joined them there for hunting and fishing.

In 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Momaney bought a house in West Dummerston at the base of Black Mountain and along the West River. There they raised their five children, and had many years of pleasure. Their two sons, Mitch and Moe, and daughters, Laura, Sheila and Sheri, all settled in Dummerston as well. Mr. Momaney was very active in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and was enormously proud of their accomplishments. He worked for Idlenot Dairy for 15 years as a residential route driver, and developed lasting friendships along the way. He was known for kindness and the extra care he always gave. After his tenure at Idlenot, he began a new career as a painting contractor, and started a very successful painting company, Momaney Painters. He enjoyed employing family members, and spending each day working side by side with them.

He was a fan of all sports, and played semi-professional football with the Greenfield Lions in Massachusetts. He played baseball in the West River Valley Baseball League, and softball in the Brattleboro Recreation Industrial League. He was the sponsor for The Momaney Painters softball team for many years. Mr. Momaney was a former member of the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department, and was also a member of the American Legion Post 5.

He was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's macro-globulinemia, a very rare type of lymphoma, and lived with it for over 14 years, remaining active and optimistic all the while. He was cared for, and treated by, Dr. Cornelius Cornell.

Mr. Momaney leaves his children and grandchildren, all of Dummerston: Francis Momaney Jr. "Moe" and Debbie Jarvis, Aisha, Ambria and Terran Momaney; Mitchel and Martha Momaney, Tyler and Ross Momaney; Laura Mullen and Vince Cioffi, Mitchel Mullen, Jeremiah and Michael Cioffi; Sheila Eames, and Riley and Logan Johnson; and Sheri Momaney and Patrick Gaffney, Sierra, Autumn, and Traven Gaffney. He also leaves his brother, Ralph Momaney of Vernon, and his beloved sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and Charles Gardner of Burlington, Conn. He was predeceased by his brother, Edmund Momaney of Hinsdale, and son-in-law, Alan Eames. Cremation assistance will be under the direction of Mark Cournoyer, a longtime family friend, of Cournoyer Funeral Home in Jaffrey, N.H.  The family extends heartfelt thanks to all for their kindness and compassion.

Those who wish may contribute in memory of Francis to Dummerston Community Center, PO Box 428, West Dummerston, VT 05357; Blood Disease Research Fund at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, Attention: Dr. CJ Cornell, Jr., One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766-9934; The Grace Cottage Foundation, PO Box 216, Townshend, VT05353-0216, or the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 40, West Dummerston, VT5357.

Burial will be privately held in the family plot in the Wilder Cemetery in West Dummerston.

At Mr. Momaney's request, there will be no calling hours or services at this time.