Franklin Abbott Berryman, a lifetime resident of St. Johnsbury, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2018 at the VNA Respite House after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He maintained a positive attitude, always looking toward the future no matter the struggle. He was born on January 30, 1947 to the late Donald and Gertrude (Ranney) Berryman. He graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1965.
Franklin worked at different places in the St. Johnsbury area until loss of vision, due to retinitis pigmentosa, forced him to give up driving and working. However, anyone who knew Frank could expect that whatever he was working on or trying to figure out, he would find a way to accomplish. Such as finding a way to fit something that did not belong, like putting big engines in small cars. He was very skilled and enthusiastic about making things work and he always continued tinkering and fixing things using his other senses. Repairing and building various kinds of cars was his major passion. He was very determined to make motors run on his many cars, trucks and tractors. He was a mechanic at heart and was a generous man and a good friend and father as well.
Throughout his life he dealt with many challenges, some good, some bad, and regardless of the outcome for him, he always found it in his own way and found how to make the best of the circumstances.
He had a beautiful singing voice and sang tenor in high school, in the church choir and at weddings. He had a passion for many different types of music. He was a member of the East St. Johnsbury Congregational Church and was a valued member of the choir.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Pairin Berryman, and leaves behind his step-son Mark Blodgett, his wife Stacey and their children Alexander, Jarrett and Sawyer, as well as a sister Helen Berryman Hill and his nieces Cyndi and her daughters Julia and Laura and Judy and her daughter Lindsay.
A celebration of his life will be held later in the spring and is yet to be determined. Memorial contributions in Franklin’s memory may be made to the VNA Respite House. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.