MORRISVILLE – Anthony Piers (Tony) Washburn passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Saturday, June 6, at Copley Hospital with his loving wife at his side.
Tony was born on June 20, 1935 in Morrisville to Newton and Alice Washburn. He spent most of his youth with his step-grandparents at their small farm and used-parts yard in the Mackville section of Hardwick. He was a very inquisitive boy; he invented things, wrote poems and taught himself to play the fiddle. The guitar and mandolin were soon to follow.
In the early 1950s he joined the U.S. Air Force and became an airplane mechanic, serving in Morocco and Knoxville, Tenn. While in Knoxville he played in local bands and had the chance to play with the up-and-coming country singer Don Gibson, Gene Autry’s sidekick Smiley Burnett, and many other current and future Grand Ole Opry stars. As much as he loved the music scene, he contracted a virus that took away his voice for an extended period. Having experienced the rough life of a musician, he decided to come back to Vermont to explore other paths.
Yet even while taking on construction jobs and mechanic work, he continued to pursue music, playing with local bands. He made a name for himself and was a sought-after fiddler and guitarist. He participated in many fiddlers’ contests, and won more than a few. In the 1960s he was a guitarist, fiddler, and vocalist with The Esquires, a very popular local big band. Music was to remain a lifelong passion, and he mentored many young musicians. The Lambert family in Morrisville were lifelong friends. Tony encouraged brothers Don and Ted to pursue their musical talents, and both have spent their lives making good music.
Tony didn’t finish high school but completed his GED. He then decided to attend college to become a music teacher. Along the way he switched majors and became an industrial arts teacher. He taught at Craftsbury Academy throughout the 1970s. He also had a lifelong obsession with cars and operated RFD Autos for a number of years in the Big Yellow Barn in Hardwick. His was one of the first area auto shops to bring rust-free southern cars to northern Vermont. After selling his business to the Greensboro Garage in the mid 1980s, he took a position as shop teacher in Cabot, then on to the Vermont Corrections Department as shop teacher in the Newport prison until his retirement.
In the early 1970s he started the RFD 3 band with Danny Coane and Larry Miller. It became a very popular bluegrass and country band. They played for a few years before adding Kathy Coane on bass and Tony’s son Mark Washburn on drums. Mark had his father’s musical talents and was a gifted drummer. After RFD 3 disbanded, Tony joined Bernie and Linda Lussier in the Craftsbury Vibrations in the mid 1970s. There he found a musical home until his retirement in 2013.
In the 1980’s Tony was fiddler with Rick Norcross of Rick and the Ramblers. He also played a bunch of shows with the rising country star Randy Travis. In 1986 he was an original member of the WDEV Radio Rangers, airing a 15-minute old-time radio show every Saturday morning for 25 years. He wrote the Radio Rangers’ theme song as well. He played as a guest with countless musicians and bands. He was a member of Buck’s Run (a bluegrass group), and Cold Country, with which he toured Ireland. Tony was a songwriter and recorded several of his compositions, including “Hangover City,” “Nighttime Finds Me Lonesome,” “Love’s Coming Through” and “Which Bridge Should I Take, Which Bridge Should I Burn.”
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 32 years, Linda “Lynne” Washburn, his daughter Michelle Foster, and grandson Leon; stepson Jim Densmore (Jenn), and step-grandsons Garrett and Connor; brother Leslie Washburn (April), niece Leah, and many other dear nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his son Mark Washburn, and stepdaughter Donna Densmore.
Tony was a teacher and mentor to many young people. His family encourages you to mentor a young person and help guide them to their passion.
Calling hours were held on Monday, June 15, at the des Groseilliers Funeral Home in Hardwick. A funeral service was held at the United Community Church on Main Street in Morrisville on Tuesday, June 16, followed by burial at the Plains Cemetery in Hyde Park and reception at the Morrisville VFW. Condolences and memories of Tony may be shared with his family at dgfunerals.com
