Obituary: Stephen W. Gould, 1937-2024 (2024)

StephenW. Gould of Chelsea, Vt., passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024, atthe McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt.

Stevewas born in Portland, Maine, on February 1, 1937, to Eleanor(Webster) and Richard Gould. He grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine;Winchester, Mass.; Newport Beach, Calif.; and Colorado Springs,Colo., and graduated from Fountain Valley High School in ColoradoSprings. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth Collegein Hanover, N.H. He went on to receive a masters in German languageand literature from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. and hisjuris doctorate (JD) from the Vermont Law School in Randolph, Vt.While serving in the U.S. Army, he attended the Defense LanguageInstitute Language Center in Monterey, Calif., and was stationed inGermany. He was fluent in English, German and Polish. After hisservice, he taught German first as an instructor atWilliston-Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass., and then later asan assistant professor at State University College in Oneonta, N.Y.

Whileliving in Oneonta, he helped form the Oneonta Legal Rights Guild andwas treasurer of the Emergency Bail Project. Through this work, hewas motivated to pursue law with a goal to provide meaningful legalsupport to those who otherwise might not be able to afford the rightsand protections provided by the American legal system. After earninghis JD, he worked as a public defender. He eventually became anassistant attorney general and attorney for the State of VermontDepartment of Taxes. Steve was known as a generous and caringindividual with a sharp wit and sense of humor. He had a deep love ofnature and the outdoors, from skiing, cycling and hiking to readingby the brook. Throughout his life, he was in active service to hiscommunity and dedicated to being a friendly helping hand. Among hisendeavors, he was a volunteer firefighter and a member of the schoolboard for the Chelsea Public School. Later, in retirement, he wasactive in the Central Vermont Farm Workers Coalition, a part ofMigrant Justice, and was an active member of other communityimprovement projects and volunteer efforts.

Inthe past seven years, he has shown great strength, courage, and, attimes, stubbornness and humor in dealing with serious health issues.Through it all, he was supported by his family and a community offriends for which there are no words to express gratitude. Steve issurvived by his two children and their families: Dana Gould ofBoston, Mass., and Stephanie Sotkin of Salt Lake City, Utah, alongwith his granddaughter, Hannah Sotkin, also of Salt Lake City. He isalso survived by his siblings and their families: Sally Wilson ofWalpole, Mass., Susan Hoffman of Needham, Mass., and hissister-in-law, Sue Gould, of Turner, Mass., and the children of hislate brother, John Gould, of Turner. He is also survived by hiscompanion, Judy Peterson, and her children.

Thefamily expresses deeply felt gratitude for the support of manyfriends, including but not limited to Dan and Lynne Cardozo; thecaring staff at the Gary Residence, where Steve lived for five years;as well as Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice and the McClureMiller Respite House.

PerSteve’s request, there will not be a funeral. The family plans on agathering to celebrate his life and honor his memory on Wednesday,July 31, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier.

Memorialdonations in his name may be made to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice or Migrant Justice. To continue honoring his memory, his hopewas that you would do something special for a friend. Please visitawrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.