Rodney Daniels

Rodney E. Daniels, age 80, passed away suddenly July 3, 2016, at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Rodney was born St. Johnsbury, VT, on May 1, 1936, son to James Everett and B. Blanche (Cook) Daniels. He attended school in North Danville and graduated from Danville High School in 1954 and later matriculated to Boston University  from 1954-1955 and University of Vermont Continuing Education from 1969-1974.  He served in the United States Army from 1955-1957 during peacetime.  On April 20, 1958 he married Barbara Wakeham at the Grace United Methodist Church in St. Johnsbury, and together they had two children - Brian and David.

Rodney retired from active service as President of the Passumpsic Savings Bank on January 31, 1999.  He continued to serve as Trustee and Chairman of the Board.  He first joined the bank in 1963 and over the years served the bank in many capacities:  Asst. Treasurer, Treasurer, Executive Vice-President and President.  He was elected a Trustee in 1977.

During his time at the bank, he attended and graduated from the Graduate School of Savings Bank,

Sponsored by the National Association of Mutual Savings Banks and the Executive Development Program.  He was also active in the Vermont Bankers Assoc. serving on various committees, the Executive Council and Chairman of the Vermont Bankers Association 1994-1995.  He served as a Director and Treasurer of the New England Automated Clearing in Boston - 1990-1997 and as a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston – 1997-2004.

Although during his life he was active in many civic organizations in and around St. Johnsbury, he will be remembered most for his love of family.  His family was the most important aspect of his life, providing them with the gifts only a loving parent can provide.  He was an exemplary role model for his children and grandchildren.  He instilled a sense of integrity and love in all of us that we will cherish and live with through our lives; his children and his grandchildren will always remember and cherish the times we spent together.

Survivors include his wife Barbara of St. Johnsbury, sons: Brian and his wife Deborah of Rome, NY, and David of Lincoln, VT. They have 5 grandchildren; Anthony Daniels, Catrina Blackburn, Kerstian Short, Samuel Daniels and Kevin Daniels.  They also have 2 great-grandchildren, Matthew Daniels and Noah Blackburn.  His brothers:  Nathan J. Daniels of Somers, CT; John C. Daniels and his wife, Rosalind, of Cabot, VT; Sister: Janet M. Daniels of  Hanover, NH, and sister-in law: Julia M. Daniels of  St Johnsbury, VT.   Brothers and sisters-in-laws: Elizabeth & Eugene (deceased) Remick; Janice I. Wakeham, Edward Wakeham and Kathy; Reginald and Patricia Wakeham, he is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Dale and James.

Friends may call on the family from 6-8PM at the Sayles Funeral Home on Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, Thursday evening.

Funeral Services will be held at 1PM on Friday, July 8, 2016, at the Grace United Methodist Church on Central Street in St. Johnsbury, VT, with Rev. Kirk Thompson officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Memorial Donations may be made to either the St. Johnsbury Kiwanis, PO Box 204, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to the American Heart Association, 110 Main St., Suite 203, Burlington, VT 05401 or www.heart.org

Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.saylesfh.com.