Geoffrey Wheeler Hobart passed away unexpectedly while traveling home to Vermont from Punta Gorda, Fla. He was 73 years old.
Born on September 13, 1951, in Middletown, Conn., Geoff was the son of the late Aaron Addison Hobart and Barbara (Stevens) Hobart Crawford. He grew up with his sister, Stephanie, and brothers, Aaron Addison “Ron” Jr. and Cyrus Hobart, in nearby Old Greenwich, Conn.
Geoff became enamored with Kathleen Beales Bradbury while walking to the 4th of July Fireworks at Binny Park when they were 13. Eight years later, on August 26, 1972, they were married.
After a few stops, Geoff and Kathy moved to an old farmhouse in Belvidere, Vt., with their daughter, Heather, in tow. Shortly after, their son, Ryan, was born, and Belvidere became their home for the next 43 years. Geoff loved — and was loved by — this rural community.
Geoff was at home in the woods of northern Vermont and found a career in them as a logging contractor for more than 30 years. His knowledge of the natural landscape was profound, and his stories about the lumberjack life never failed to entertain.
As much as Geoff loved spending his work weeks in the woods, he might have loved spending his weekends on the water even more. From kayaking on Green River Reservoir to sailing on Lake Champlain and the South Florida coast, Geoff was constantly learning about the environment he was in — and the people who were in it with him.
Above all else, Geoff loved spending time with family and friends. His positive spirit was infectious, and people lined up to be near him. Uno on Block Island, furniture projects in his woodshop and Gramp’s daycare are just a few of the ways Geoff made himself available to those he loved.
Geoff leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Kathleen B. Hobart, of Waterville, Vt., his daughter, Heather Hobart, and her partner, Eli Moore, and their children, Ada and Quinn Moore, of Jeffersonville, Vt.; and his son, Ryan Hobart, and his partner, Janette Adrian, of Gypsum, Colo. He also leaves siblings Stephanie of Gloucester, Mass., and Cyrus of Pawcatuck, Conn., as well many cousins, nieces, nephews and his favorite dog, Sophie. Geoff was predeceased by his brother Ron Hobart and sisters-in-law Caroline “Carey” Hobart and Laura Hobart.
Please help us celebrate Geoff’s life on Friday, June 27, 2025, 2 to 5 p.m., at the Barn at Boyden Farm, 64 VT-104, Cambridge, VT 05444, with a short ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. and refreshments to follow. All are welcome anytime.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Geoff’s name to the Lamoille Restorative Center or by mail to PO Box 148, Hyde Park, VT 05655.
To share a memory or a condolence message, please visit online-tribute.com/geoffreyhobart.
This article appears in The Animal Issue 2025.