David Webster Mitchell, 88, of Lyndonville, VT, passed away on October 21st. He is the son of Walter and Catherine (Webster) Mitchell. Dave found the love of his life at age 19, and after 4 years of pursuing Cappy Payette, the two married in August of 1953.
Dave was a life-long horse lover and is well known across New England for his horse pulling. He started pulling horses in 1948 driving pairs of (mostly) Belgians, starting off his pulling vocation at the Orleans County (Barton) Fair. He continued pulling until the age of 84, which says a bit about his personality and perseverance!
For over three decades, Dave was a logger and used his horses to haul trees. He started his logging career with his brother Jack, and over the years he managed to drag all 5 of his sons into the woods in order to cut 55 cords of wood by each Friday. He taught his boys about the woods, how to hunt, and instilled a strong work ethic in each of them.
As tough as he was, he was not above crawling into a Lion King tent to spend time with his grandchildren, or trying his hand at skateboarding with his great-grandchildren. He was happiest when his barn was full of horses and his house was full of friends and family. Together, Dave and Cappy had 5 ‘little angels.
’ When they say “it takes a village,” that was no understatement for Dave and Cappy, as they raised many other children in their home, in addition to their own. Dave is survived by his wife, Catherine (Cappy) Mitchell; 4 sons: Dale Mitchell, Sr., Dennis “Dan” Mitchell, Sr. (Michelle Hagman), Dwight “Ike” Mitchell, Sr., and Douglas Mitchell; 10 grandchildren: Amy Mitchell, Jennifer Adams (Kurt), Ann Ruggles (George Jr.), Dennis Mitchell, Jr. (Paula Aliano), Dale Mitchell, Lisa Mitchell, Dawn Mitchell, Meghan Mitchell, Dwight Mitchell, Jr., and Dana Mitchell; 9 great-grandchildren: Kyle, Jordan, Nikko, Landon, Sonoma, David, Will, Lydia, and Jake; his dog, Chip; his siblings: Leslie Mitchell (June) and Carroll Mitchell, Sr. (Brenda); other loved ones: Valerie Carreau, Rose Ramsdell, and Jen Mitchell; several nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Dave is predeceased by his son, David A. Mitchell, and his siblings; Jackson Mitchell, Sr. (Della), Beverly Lawson (Ed), Barbara Chamberlain (Sid), Hazen (Flossy) Mitchell, and Richard Mitchell (Francine).
If anyone has pictures they would like to add to the Celebration of Life slide show, please email them to jenniferladamsvt@gmail.com. The family would like to thank the many friends and various family members, along with Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, for their immense kindness and support over the past several months. Your contributions to Dave and Cappy’s health and happiness are greatly appreciated.
Calling hours will be at the Guibord Funeral Home 15 Main Street, Lyndonville, VT, on Thursday, October 25th from 5 to 7pm. A graveside service will be held on Friday morning for immediate family and a Celebration of Life, which will be open to all at the Tempson Barn, 695 Town Farm Road, Lyndonville, VT, on Friday, October 26th from 2 to 4 pm. For those attending the Celebration of Life, warmer clothing is recommended.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the David W. Mitchell Memorial Horse Pulling Fund. Please make checks payable to: Community National Bank, P.O. Box 131 Lyndonville, VT 05851 and in the “memo” write ‘David W. Mitchell Memorial Horse Pulling Fund. ’ Memories and condolences can be shared at www.
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