SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – James E. Pelkey, a resident of Springfield, passed away peacefully on Nov. 14, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. His sister was with him, and his brothers had been with him throughout the day. He had been most recently hospitalized the week prior to his passing, and had many family members stop in to visit him. For the past few months, Jim had been saying he “was ready” and wanted to go see family. We knew what he meant, but we were not ready for that to happen.
Jim was born in Springfield, on Jan. 15, 1952, to Edward and Linda (Pollard) Pelkey, and grew up in Proctorsville. As a youth, he attended the Methodist Church and was a member of the Boy Scouts.
Jim graduated from Green Mountain Union High School in Chester, and went on to work for General Electric in Rutland as a machinist, retiring in 2009 after 39 years.
Every August growing up meant the Pollard family reunion. Relatives arrived from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Virginia for the festivities. Jim loved his family, and was a very giving man. Over the years, he adopted many four-legged babies, and he doted on them. They were all spoiled!
Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, making baked beans, and, in later years, woodburning. You could also find him off visiting with his close friends, and going for drives with a dog at his side.
Survivors include his siblings, Cindy, of Standish, Maine, Brian, of Proctorsville, and Alan, of Chester; and a cousin, Charles Pollard, who was always thought of as our older brother. Jim leaves behind his nieces and nephews, and a very large extended family.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, a nephew, and a niece. There will be a spring burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in Proctorsville.