Former deputy fire chief, town volunteer
David C. Poitras, of West Danville, Vt., a former longtime resident of Harvard, died peacefully at home attended by his loving family on April 12, 2014.
Dave was born in Clinton on August 20, 1929, the son of Alfred A. and Annie (Johnson) Poitras. He grew up in Harvard and was a graduate of the Bromfield School, class of 1949. Dave enlisted in U.S. Army where he served as a private first class during the Korean conflict. He was married in 1954 to Theresa Castellano and they made their home in Harvard until 1995, when they moved to Vermont.
Dave worked as a painter with his father and later worked with his two brothers, Fred and Bob, as Poitras Brothers Contractors. He was a member of the Harvard Fire Department for many years, serving as lieutenant, captain, and retiring as deputy chief. He also served on Harvard’s Planning Board and Conservation Commission and was a member of the Harvard Rotary Club for many years. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Theresa’s Church of Harvard and was president of Bailey Hazen Snowmobile Club in Vermont. When he moved to Vermont, he lived in the mountains, where he loved to ride his snowmobile, split wood, hunt, and ice fish.
Dave’s survivors include his wife of 59 years, Theresa (Castellano) Poitras of West Danville, Vt.; their five children, Nancy Poitras of East Hardwick, Vt., Sandy Poitras of Harvard, Suzanne Poitras of Newburyport, Anne Poitras of West Danville, Vt., and James Poitras of Leominster; their four grandchildren, David West, Christopher West, Maggie Rae Poitras, and Matthew Poitras; his sister, Mary Ann McHugh of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held at the Badger Funeral Home in Littleton on Tuesday, April 15. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Trinity Church in Harvard on Wednesday, April 16. Burial was at Bellevue Cemetery in Harvard. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dave’s name to Caledonia Home Health and Hospice, Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT, 05819, where he was cared for lovingly during his last months, or to the Harvard Fire Department.
