Edward Shirlock

WILLIAMSTOWN—Edward James "Ed" Shirlock, 78, died Monday evening, September 17, 2007 at his home.

He was born August 2, 1929 in Hartford, the son of George F. and Lena (Muzzy) Shirlock. At a young age, he was taken in as a foster child by Alice Adams and attended school in South Royalton.

He was drafted in 1951 and served in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Following the service, he went to work in the shipyards in Virginia. He returned to Vermont and went to work driving trucks for Pettengill Construction in South Royalton. He also drove for the chicken farm in South Royalton

He married Carolyn M. Duff on June 30, 1956 in Quechee, and they made their home there. During this time, he worked for Sherm Manning at Hartford Oil Company in White River Jct. as a truck driver. He moved to Chelsea in 1964 and continued to drive trucks, but now for the State of Vermont Highway Department, District #6 based out of Williamstown. He retired in 1977.

During the mid-1950s, he raced stock cars at several of the local race tracks. He enjoyed camping with his wife and family, and was a member of the Good Sam Club and the Golden Dome Sams of Montpelier. He and his wife were also members of the Champlain Valley Road Runners, based in Burlington.

Survivors include his wife, of Williamstown; four sons: Edward W. Shirlock of Tunbridge, Gary W. Shirlock of Willliamstown, and Neil P. Shirlock and Jeffrey S. Shirlock, both of Orange; four daughters: Brenda Dubois of Orange, Gloria Shirlock of Barre, Debra Ann Fergerson of Brattleboro, and Synthia Shirlock of Hartford, Conn.; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, two brothers, Raymond Sherlock of Hudson Falls, N.Y. and George Shirlock of East Barre; a half-sister, Betty Winslow of Glens Falls, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Shirlock; a sister, Lillian Libby; three half-brothers, Robert Eastman, Willliam Eastman, and Everett Eastman; two half-sisters, Ada Reed and Mildred Woodard.

Calling hours will be Friday evening, Sept. 21, from 6-8 p.m. at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea. A graveside service with full military honors will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. at the West Lebanon, N.H. Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Central Vermont Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Berlin, Vt. 05062.

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