John Cushing was known for his public service
by Mike Donoghue
A version of this story first appeared in The Islander newspaper
MILTON — Funeral services will be held on Saturday for retired longtime and beloved Milton Town Clerk and Treasurer John P. Cushing. He was 77.
Cushing, who served the town for 46 years, was well-known locally and across Vermont for his work in municipal government, as a rescue squad member, volunteer firefighter, deputy game warden, maple syrup businessman, coach and more.
He retired from the town of Milton in March 2015.
Cushing was often the leading source of answers when other municipal clerks and treasurers — and even some state officials and legislators — were stumped by a question.
He died after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia on Saturday at his Milton home surrounded by loved ones.
Visiting hours are planned for 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Minor Funeral Home on U.S. 7 in Milton. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Main Street.
Cushing was a huge believer in government transparency. When Milton town and school governments had growing pains and struggled at times, Cushing said letting the spotlight shine on government was the best way to resolve ugly issues.
Colleagues and townspeople talked often about Cushing being well known for his honesty and ethics in office and in life.
Longtime Shelburne Town Clerk and Treasurer Coleen Haag said Cushing was the go-to municipal official when others were stumped.
“John embodied all that we strive for in our lives. Love of family, community, state, profession and his church filled his life with purpose. In turn he received respect and love from his family and those he served,” Haag said.
“John was humble about his accomplishments, but they will never be forgotten by those who had the privilege of knowing him,” said Haag, who served as clerk for 35 years and treasurer for 38 years.
Cushing also had the knack of often knowing the state law without even looking it up in the so-called Green Books that contain Vermont statutes and are found in most government bookcases.
He was honored for his work many times in his career, including when the Vermont Association of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers voted Cushing as their top member in 1993.
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns selected Cushing as its Municipal Person of the Year in 2002.
Cushing was chosen as Firefighter of the Year in 1986 by the Chittenden County Firefighters Association.
He served on the Milton Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years. Cushing assisted his town by helping to organize and serve on the first Milton Rescue Service.
As somebody who loved history and going back into the town vault to review old government records, it was probably appropriate Cushing’s life began and ended on important dates. He was born on Valentine’s Day 1947 and died on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
After graduating from Milton High, Cushing studied municipal accounting at Champlain College. By age 21 he had become an assistant clerk in the Milton town office and about a year later on March 4, 1969 he became one of the youngest town clerks ever elected to that office in Vermont.
He further served Vermont as a deputy fish and game warden for 36 years. He often worked alongside veteran Warden Don Collins looking for deer-jackers and other violators. Cushing would love to tell stories about his days in the woods and along Vermont waterways.
Cushing really enjoyed seeing young children being taught to hunt or fish and to have them come home with some victories. He also often taught hunter safety classes, especially for youngsters.
Paulette Lafond, his longtime assistant in Milton, said Cushing gave his whole life to whatever he undertook.
“He was indeed one special guy with a heart as big as the outdoors. I saw so much of that compassion over the years. He truly loved being a Town Clerk,” Lafond said.
State Rep. Pattie McCoy, R-Poultney, the House Minority Leader, had a few connections with Cushing. They had the same love of municipal government while she was serving as town clerk and treasurer in Poultney for 26 years.
“John did his work, but he had fun doing it,” McCoy said. “John was always a champion for the town clerks.”
She said when she joined the state association in 1991, Cushing was one of the first she connected with. Eventually they traveled the state helping new clerks and treasurers.
Cushing would head south, or McCoy would head north to meet up to help new clerks that found themselves overwhelmed in one of the most complicated government jobs.
McCoy said she was devastated to learn about Cushing’s passing on Saturday while attending the celebration of life for Milton Town Manager Don Turner Jr..
She said Cushing and Turner were both giants in both Milton and Vermont government and she got to follow in their big footsteps. She succeeded Cushing as state president of the clerks and treasurers and followed Turner as the minority leader in the House of Representatives in 2019.
“I consider both of them as my mentors in my local and state careers,” McCoy said.
She and Cushing both shared a deep love for their Catholic faith.
After his retirement from the town in 2015, Cushing began volunteering and working at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, where he attended weekly Mass and was married to the love of his life, Linda Wimble, in 1968 at the old version of the church on Main Street.
Family and friends say Cushing’s most favorite time in retirement was spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Cushing always loved to trade jokes with anybody coming into the municipal office and he had a distinctive laugh. Co-workers would often say they could always tell when John was in the building.