Terald
Jed Wilson, 74, died as a result of multiple cardiac arrests on May
11, 2025, at Maine Medical Center. Terry was born on February 8,
1951, to Sid and Dorothy (Bergeron) Varney and grew up in Essex, Vt.
When Dorothy subsequently married Thomas Wilson, Tom adopted Terry,
who cherished him as his father.
Terry
and his former wife, Pam (Aiken, Malboeuf), had two beautiful
daughters, Jessica and Heather. As they grew up in Jericho and
Fairfield, Vt., the athletic talent they inherited from Terry — a
hardcore high school baseball player – drew him to countless hours
of softball, soccer and basketball games. He instilled the importance
of education and exploration in his daughters, pushing them to become
the adventurous women they are today.
In
1981, Terry met Nancy Anisfield as she was walking her dalmatian by
the tennis court where he was playing. Two weeks later, he proposed;
four months later, they married. They shared life, love and a lot of
adventure for 43 years. Terry’s career path took him from the
Rossignol Ski Company to forming Carts Vermont to his proudest
achievement, founding the Ugly Dog Hunting Company, which he ran for
more than 20 years before retiring.
Passionate
about hunting dogs, wingshooting and habitat conservation, Terry knew
he was lucky to be able to blend work and play around those passions.
Fourteen bird dogs over the years added energy to his and Nancy’s
hunting pursuits, which ranged from Maine to Alaska and across the
South. Terry was an enthusiastically sloppy dog handler but somehow
managed to have dogs that knew what to do despite their master. More
skillful, however, was his business knowledge, with which he served
on the board of directors of the Ruffed Grouse Society for many
years. Terry also most recently was the vice president of the North
American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.
In
tribute to his cousin Arthur DiVincenzi, Terry and Nancy created the
Track2wing Project five years ago. Track2wing grants all-terrain
trackchairs to individuals with mobility challenges so they can
continue to participate in hunting-related activities that involve
sporting dogs.
Perhaps
more important in his legacy is the love of the outdoors, hunting and
conservation which he reveled in sharing with Heather; her husband,
Jon Place; and grandson Noah Place. Fishing in Alaska with Jess and
watching her career success made him equally proud. And then there
were the hunting trips with the guys: grouse camp, turkey camp,
waterfowl in Kansas, duck hunting on Lake Champlain. The stories of
shots missed and dogs saving the day are endless. So too are all the
problems of the world that were solved after the hunt, on the porch
with a glass of bourbon.
Terry
was predeceased by his father, Thomas. He is survived by his mother,
Dorothy Wilson; wife, Nancy; daughters, Jess (Lori) Wilson and
Heather (Jon) Place; grandson, Noah Place; brother, Hal (Laura Lee)
Wilson; and step-grandchildren, Lucas and Bevan Roberts-Williams.
River, Rudder, Prairie and Pilot will miss him dearly but continue to
do all the rambunctious things that drove him crazy and made him love
them more. Terry will also live on in the hearts and memories of his
best friends, who will continue to tell tales of his accident-prone
exploits and sense of humor.
As
per Terry’s request, a private family cremation ceremony will be
held, followed by a celebration of Terry’s life at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Terry’s memory to
the Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever or the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.