TOWNSHEND, Vt. – Al Moulton, 85, died unexpectedly from heart failure Sunday, May 1, 2011, at his home. Al was born March 4, 1926, in Brooks, son of Elbert G. Sr. and Fannie (Brown) Moulton.
Al was educated in public schools in Brooks. He served in the Navy during World War II in Normandy and Okinawa.
After the war, Al completed his degree at the University of Maine. He married Geraldine “Geri” (Lockhart) of Winterport in June 1950. Al and Geri remained in Maine until 1956, when he began a career in Chamber of Commerce work as the director of Brattleboro’s chamber. He continued working with Rutland Chamber of Commerce and the chamber in Lawrence, Mass. He served several terms in the state government of Vermont including the first director of development and as secretary of Agency of Commerce and Community Affairs. He served as the state’s chief economic development leader under Govs. Hoff, Salmon, Snelling and Kunin. He was instrumental in the establishment of some of Vermont’s landmark laws and initiatives: Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law, 1970; the banning of billboards in the state, 1968; and the establishment of Vermont’s Captive Insurance industry, 1981. His career in Vermont politics started in 1968. He ran successful campaigns for Gov. Deane C. Davis and for U.S. Sen. Robert Stafford. He served as chairman of the Vermont Republican Party in the late 1960s. In 1971, Al left state government to help with the development of Quechee Lakes. He served as executive director of Brattleboro Development Credit Corp. and Springfield Regional Development Corp., from where he retired in 1994. Al helped numerous companies start-up, expand or relocate to Vermont helping to create hundreds of jobs. He loved the state and was an unapologetic advocate and salesman for Vermont.
Al was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 59 years, Geri; and grandson, Joel. He is survived by his children, Bob and Barbara (Hennesey) of Duxbury, Vt., and their daughter, Lucy; Daniel and Kevin Murphy, and Sara (Cross) Moulton of Calgary, Alberta, and their daughters, Kristen and husband, Jordan Tronsgard, and Heather and husband, Matthew Brillinger; David and Lisa (Rice) of Whitingham, Vt., and their children, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Jillian, Amanda Johnson and Jessica Johnson; and Patricia and Timothy Powden of South Londonderry, Vt.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Brooks Congregational Church, Brooks. A burial will be held for the immediate family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Al Moulton Economic Development Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to NEDA Education Scholarship Fund, care of REDC, 112 Quality Lane, Rutland, VT 05701. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home Inc., Brattleboro, Vt. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, please visit
www.atamaniuk.com.