Stephen C. Dodson

BERLIN - Stephen C. Dodson, 84, of 1115 Brookfield Road, died Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin. He was born in Amesbury, MA, to the late Bettina M. (Stewart) Dodson and John L. Dodson on May 14, 1942. He attended Philadelphia and New London, CT, public schools and worked at a variety of small businesses in Central Vermont over his lifetime, including his brother George Dodson’s restaurant, George’s Place, in South Barre.

Steve spent much of his life enjoying the natural world on his family’s ancestral farm near Berlin Pond. Of particular note was his green thumb. He spent years lovingly tending the family annual and perennial gardens, maintaining the property’s natural swimming pool, and making himself of service to others in his family and to many close friends over the years. While in elder care, he enjoyed playing Uno and Bingo, attending musical performances, and listening to countless hours of Boston Red Sox games into the late evening.

In his earlier years, Steve loved walking around Berlin Pond, completing puzzles, reading westerns, and when his loss of eyesight occurred, listening to audio books. He also enjoyed driving, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to spend the day “tootling” with his brother George, his mother, Bettina, or his grandmother, Freda May (Crandall) Borden, around the Vermont countryside and to the Maine Coast. He had a lifelong affinity for country music and spent countless evenings in his younger years dancing with friends at Country Cuzzins in Barre.

Steve also had a great affection for dogs, having many dalmatians over the years, and he eventually came to love smaller breeds. He especially adored his most recent brindle terrier mix Dee Dee and was greatly comforted by her being re-homed with a local loving family when he moved to elder care. He was predeceased by his four siblings, Michael, Norman, George, and Diana.

Steve’s family would like to express their gratitude to the dedicated nurses, LNAs, and social workers at Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, Bayada, and Vermont Council on Aging, all of whom worked with Steve to live independently in his home for as long as possible. Grateful thanks also go out to the Maple Grove staff at Woodridge Nursing Home – and particularly Pam Buck – for their loving kindness and compassionate care at the end of Steve’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. Monica Church at 11 AM. A burial will follow at Berlin Corner Cemetery in Berlin. Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home in Barre.