Hector E. Pelkey

October 11, 1938 – February 26, 2025

Hector Pelkey, of Eustis, Florida, passed away on February 26, 2025. Born to Francis B. Pelkey and Herman Pelkey in Highgate Falls, Vermont. Hector was a husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Growing up in Highgate Falls, Vermont, he cherished his childhood spent hunting and fishing with his brothers, and carousing at the family-owned Pelkey's General Store. Hector was preceded in death by his parents, Francis B. Pelkey and Herman Pelkey, his brother, Herman Jr. and his sister, Paulette Buckley. Hector served in the Vermont National Guard from 1955-1960.

Hector moved to West Swanton, where he married the love of his life, Freya Chaffee. Together, they raised four daughters. He was known for his passion for the outdoors, raising pigs, maintaining a garden, and spending countless hours on Lake Champlain, fishing with his girls. He loved tinkering in his garage, where he welcomed his daughters to share their laughter, even allowing them to swear, which brought him great joy. In winter, he ensured that the lake was a playground for his family, shoveling off ice for skating, creating fishing shanties decorated like doll houses and pulling his girls on the toboggan with his ski-doo.

Hector served as the Road Commissioner for Swanton, VT, for many years before obtaining his crane operator's license. He took pride in his work on notable projects, such as the "Big Dig" in Boston and the Champlain Bridge. Hector loved to cook and was known to cook up food for his co-workers; he was particularly famous for his pork chops and milk gravy. A natural storyteller and jokester, Hector made friends easily and built lasting relationships throughout his life. He was known for helping anyone in need and loved spending time fishing, hunting, and enjoying time with his brothers. Some of his most memorable adventures included hunting elk in Montana with his friends and fishing in Alaska with his nephew, Jack and great-nephew, Jackson.

Hector moved to Florida in 2009 and had lived there ever since, where he continued to share his warmth and generosity; he made many lasting friendships in his retirement community.

We, Hector's family, would like to thank the employees at the Edgewater Nursing Facility for taking such great care of him as he spent the last five years of his life there. They welcomed him into their Edgewater family and he cherished many of his caregivers. A private Celebration of Life will take place in the summer of 2025. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.