Ames M. Poirier

BROOKFIELD—Ames M. Poirier, 92, died Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2008 at Haven Health Care in Rutland.

He was born Feb. 3, 1916 in Peth (Randolph), the son of Simeone and Emma (Barcomb) Poirier. He attended Bear Hill School, then moved to New Haven, Conn., where he graduated from high school in 1934. After he graduated from University of Miami, he served as a French interpreter for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II.

He lived in California, before returning to Connecticut, where he worked for the Railway Mail Service, then the U.S. Postal Service in Clinton, Conn., retiring in 1974.

He married Ruth Bean Burr in Guilford, Conn. May 8, 1955. Following his wife’s death in 1974, his companion of 25 years was Eleanor Wilcox, who died in 2005.

He enjoyed entertaining his friends and family with parties and picnics, reading the poems of Robert Frost and A.F. Housman, attending auctions, and humbling opponents when playing horseshoes. He was a passionate environmentalist, long before environmentalism became a worldwide issue. He spent the last 33 years improving the land at his Brookfield home, where he returned the pastures to their original condition, created and maintained several hiking trails, and provided safe habitats for wildlife. He had been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Survivors include his son, Rennie Kent Poirier, and a granddaughter, Chelsea Leigh Poirier, both of Colchester, Conn.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Randolph Center, with Pastor Thomas Harty officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. There are no calling hours.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.

Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.

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