Sidney R. Hotchkiss
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Sidney R. Hotchkiss, 76 of Stockbridge, died Tuesday morning, April 19, 2022 at his home.
He was born June 30, 1945 in Waterbury, CT, the son of Sidney S. & Thelma (Ames) Hotchkiss. Although raised in CT, where for many years he worked for New Departure in the foundry, he spent the last 50 years in Stockbridge. His many years working for the Town of Stockbridge's Highway Department, from which he retired in 2007, meant that he was known and loved by all. He and Donna Bryan shared a home from 1976 on, and to the delight of dozens of friends and family members, they were married on Aug. 29, 2009 on the farm, followed by a community-wide celebration. It was often stated that once you were a friend of Sid's, you were always a friend, and the turn-out proved that.
Sid enjoyed horse and pony pulling. His long-time membership in the MidState Draft Pony Association gave him many years of pleasure, both as a puller himself, and in later years as he attended the pulls and caught up with pulling friends. He loved the trips he took to horse auctions in Ohio with his best friends, and thoroughly enjoyed the morning gatherings for coffee with several other friends. He cherished his cherry red 1938 Chevy Coupe, and he loved kids. Every child he knew remembers the quarters "Uncle Sid" always had which he would flip with them. Strangely, the kids won over and over again, until the supply was exhausted.
Survivors include his wife Donna Bryan of Stockbridge, son Todd Hotchkiss and his wife Lisa Chioffi
Hotchkiss of Rutland, daughter Kelly Hotchkiss-Holden and husband Shawn of Rutland, brothers George Hotchkiss and wife Karen, Wayne Hotchkiss and wife Ellen, and sister Jayne Hotchkiss, all from Connecticut, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Bruce & Joy Bryan of Punta Gorda, FL, Vance and Jan Stratton of Stockbridge, and Ann Nichols of Bethel, grandsons Dylan and Dalton of Rutland, John Gorton of Stockbridge who was loved like a son, and many nieces and nephews.
A potluck celebration of his life will be held from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Saturday, June 4th in the arena at the family farm, 1471 River Road in Stockbridge. Informal attire is requested. Contributions in his memory may be made to Stockbridge First Response Team, PO Box 39, Stockbridge, VT 05772, the White River Valley Ambulance, 3190 Pleasant Street, Bethel, VT 05032 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org. Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com. Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.