We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Byron Earl Moyer, 92, of Middletown Springs. Born at home on April 7, 1934, on the family farm on Coy Hill, and, while still an infant, Aunt Lizzie proclaimed that ‘....he looks like a Peter….’; thus he would be known for the rest of his life. Peter was the last child of Byron Cook Moyer and Jaska Lewis Moyer, joining older siblings Robert, Clarabelle, Ralph (Tink), Lewis, Elsie, John, Maud, and Shirley Jean. An older sister (Celia), who was the fi rst born, passed away at the age of 7 before attending school.

After graduating from Middletown Springs High School in 1952, Peter attended the University of Vermont in Burlington where he met his future wife, Shirley Dunbar of East Craftsbury, Vermont. Married on a snowy November 1, 1953, in Craftsbury, Peter and Shirley returned to the family dairy farm on Coy Hill and raised fi ve rambunctious boys: Michael, Byron D., Gary, Karl, and Paul.

Peter was born, raised, and lived his entire life in the confi nes of Coy Hill, working the dairy operation with the requisite long hours, unknown holidays, and ‘the boys’ always raising hell in one form or another. He lived a long and full life, being involved with the 4H program, various Grange activities as the boys were growing up, and somehow maintained his sanity and great sense of humor despite an almost never-ending onslaught of other boys mixing in with his own. He served as a role model to multiple generations over the years, hard-working and honest to a fault.

Peter served the Town as a Lister for many years, and was a good farmer, raising good crops and adhering to his father’s mantra to ‘…prepare your seedbed well…’, and was a good steward of the land. He believed in taking care of his livestock, maintaining the equipment, producing good feed and breeding good cattle as the farm income was derived from quality milk production in the barn.

Peter and Shirley were an incredibly devoted couple, enjoying 70 plus years of marriage until Shirley’s sudden passing January 2, 2024. Peter was predeceased by sons Byron D. and Karl, along with a grandson Alan. He is survived by sons Michael, Gary, and Paul; grandchildren Betsy, Michael William, Michel, Charles, Byron David, Daniel, Shirley, Sarah, Robert, James, Paul, Steven, and Jacob, along with several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

While his passing will leave a huge hole in our hearts, we are blessed with tons of great memories that can still bring smiles to our faces. Peter was incredibly fortunate to have exceptional caregivers Michael, Paul, and Betsy during this last, long journey of life, along with the wonderful home health nurses of VNA/Hospice of Rutland County. They were all great, and he was especially fond of Jen during PT, Christine and Danielle.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant View Cemetery Association, 4 Colvin Road, Middletown Springs VT 05757, or to the VNA/Hospice of Rutland County.