Douglas Robert Boardman, Sr. passed away from natural causes Thursday morning, May

9, 2024, at his home in Underhill Center, Vermont. He was 87 years old.

He was born on a farm in Tunbridge, VT to Ted and June (Rogers) Boardman and grew

up in East Montpelier. As the oldest child, he was responsible for starting the woodstove at the one-room schoolhouse down the road. He met the love of his life, Sandra Jean Somers, the oldest daughter in the iconic Somers Hardware family, while a student at Montpelier High School. Like characters in a fairy tale, they were born on the same day, same year, in different parts of Vermont. Destiny brought them together, and their love story lasted for more than 60 years until Sandra's death in 2014.

Doug was active in track and baseball at Montpelier High and joined the Navy after graduation. He proudly served as a postmaster on the USS Norfolk and traveled the world. Sandy joined him at the naval base in Malta and they started their family. He was very proud of his Navy service.

Upon leaving the Navy, Doug earned an associate's degree in business, later owning a plumbing and heating supply house in Poughkeepsie, NY. When Doug and Sandy returned to Vermont and settled in Underhill Center in 1985, he started Boardman Enterprises, eventually becoming one of the oldest certified master plumbers in Vermont, and he never officially retired…

Doug was a long-time little league coach in both NY and VT and loved coaching. He also supported and took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Doug and Sandy enjoyed traveling and visited every state except Alaska which he still wanted to visit. After Sandy's death, he began a new pastime writing a popular column in the Mountain Gazette which chronicled his adventures growing up in Vermont and beyond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Sandy, his son Jeffrey, and grandson Lucas Richardson. He is survived by his children Doug Jr. and wife Jacqui Gale of Johnson, Pamela Burkhardt and husband Will of Emigrant, Montana, Randy and wife Sharon of Jericho, and Stephanie Richardson and husband Peter of Barre, his grandchildren (Evelyn, Caleb, Cole, and Maggie), and his son-in-law Joe Perry. He is also survived by his sisters Vivian and Gail, brother Greg, sister-in-law Linda (Somers) Bongiolatti, "best friend for life" Bill Bugbee and his wife Pearl, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 20 at Guare and Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier, VT with family viewing at 1 pm. and a service at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mount Mansfield Villages, www. mountmansfieldvillages.org, which was a great help to Doug and his family during the past two years.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.