Hugh Solon Putnam

January 10, 1942 - March 29, 2025

Hugh Putnam, 83, passed away at home with his family. He was born in Springfield on January 10, 1942, the only child of Hollis and Margaret (Griffith) Putnam.

Hugh graduated from Springfield High School in 1960, VTC in 1962, and Northeastern University in 1967. In 1963 he married his high school sweetheart, Rosanne “Bunni” Thibault. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in July 2024.

He is survived by his wife and two children, Susanne (Michael) Lavallee and David (Angela Dennis), four grandsons, Brian and Cameron Lavallee, and Spencer and Reidan Putnam of Colchester.

After college he worked for GE in Burlington. The family moved back to Springfield in 1975 and he worked for Jones & Lamson, Springfield, Whitney Blake, Bellows Falls, and Vermont Research in North Springfield. In 1994 he co-partnered the establishment Precision Contracting Manufacturing (PCM) in Springfield. He retired in 2007 but continued to give back to the town.

Hugh enjoyed golf, hiking and photography, with a particular interest in nature. A leader of Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, he negotiated with the Army Corp of Engineers and laid out the trails at Springweather Nature Area, led many field trips, and was the coordinator for the National Audubon Society’s local Christmas Bird Count for 41 years. A board member of the Friends of the Springfield Town Library, he spent many hours sorting books for the book sales and was treasurer for many years. Also, an avid non-fiction reader, with a particular interest in local history, he loved being at the Art and Historical Society, sorting and identifying items, and answering questions and presented several public programs. He was particularly proud of writing the book on the 1924-1944 Springfield Blue Sox so its history would not be lost. He served on the budget committees for the town and school and was the historical contributor to the SHS Sports Hall of Fame. Hugh was recognized for his contributions to the town by being named 2019 Springfield Citizen of the Year. Hugh’s wealth of knowledge will be missed by everyone who knew him.

He was a good friend to all and was a cherished, loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Crown Point Country Club Springfield.

Donations may be made in Hugh’s memory to the Springfield Art & Historical Society, PO Box 336, N. Springfield, 05150.

A private burial will be held at a later day.

Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements.

https://www.davismemorialchapel.net/obituary/hugh-putnam