Newbury , VT-  Bernard Edwin Thurston, 87, went to heaven on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill, NH.

Bernard was born on the family farm on Turkey Hill in Corinth, VT, on March 8, 1930, the oldest child of Gerald Eugene and Mildred Aurora (Brown) Thurston.  He attended grammar school in Corinth; then, Thetford Academy.  On October 22, 1955, he married Edith Black.

Bernard managed the family farm in Corinth, at his birthplace, until 1969 when he and Edith purchased the Sewell Page farm in South Newbury.

Always active in the community, Bernard served as a Lister for the Town of Corinth, drove school bus for the Corinth School District, and drove the milk truck for Whiting Creamery in Bradford.    He belonged to the Holstein-Friesian Association, the Oxbow Chapter of Future Farmers of America, the First Congregational Church of Newbury, and the Vermont 251 Club.

He received the Degree of Honorary Chapter Farmer, Degree of Honorary State Farmer, served on the Orange County ASC Committee Board, and received a Distinguished Service Award to American Agriculture from Northern Farms.

Bernard enjoyed sugaring, also.  He lived a long life and saw many changes throughout the years.  He was a gentle man who loved his family and his farm.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Bernadette Louise Thurston on May 14, 1980; and two step-sisters, Mildred Gilson and Esther French.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Edith Thurston of Newbury; their three children, Celina Wright and husband Steven of Barnet, VT, Bryson Thurston and wife Melissa and Brewster Thurston and wife Kathryn, both of Newbury; and his "adopted" daughter, Teresa Thompson and husband Kyle of East Corinth, VT.  He will be missed by his grandchildren, Jennifer Wright, Ethan Wright, Sam Wright and wife Ashley, Matthew Thurston and wife Kim, Tara Kay Thurston and companion Rafael, Iain Thurston and companion Kerri, Danielle Rebello, Allen Thurston and wife Melissa, Tara Jo Dube and husband Gary, as-well-as by his thirteen great grandchildren, Hayley, Cameron, Lydia, Eirene, Johnathan, Carly, Connor, Kaydencce, Jamison, Ryan, Tyler, Desiree, and Alexis.

He is also survived by a sister, Verna Carter and husband Ned of Bradford, VT; two brothers, Mahlon Thurston and wife Junis of Bradford and Jason Thurston and wife Ginny of East Corinth; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, April 26 from 6-8 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.

The funeral service will be on Thursday, April 27 at 11 AM at the First Congregational Church of Newbury, 4915 Main Street South, Newbury, with Rev. Kate Maver, officiating.   Burial will follow in the Oxbow Cemetery in Newbury.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Newbury, 4915 Main Street South, Newbury, VT 05051.