SEARSBURG- Anson D. Mason Jr., 72, a resident of Route 9 and former longtime resident of the family farm in Pownal, died Saturday, June 27, at his home, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Mr. Mason was born in North Adams, MA, on November 4, 1936, the son of the late Anson D. and Anna (Barber) Mason. He received his education at Pownal Elementary School and Williamstown High School. He married the former Shirley Lillie on July 29, 1961, in Bennington. Mr. Mason was a fifth-generation farmer. He and his wife also ran the Grandview Farm Guest House in Pownal.

Mr. Mason was a former member of the Pownal Center Fire Department. He enjoyed attending fairs and tractor pulls, gardening, and watching NASCAR. He was often seen at local functions in Searsburg. He enjoyed spoiling the family pets, all the cats and the two dogs, Maverick and Junior.

Besides his wife he is survived by one son, Kenneth and his wife Suzanne, of Pownal; his granddaughter, Aimee Sherman and her husband Michael, of Sunderland; and his two great-grandsons, Zachary and Jackson Sherman, also of Sunderland; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Lorraine and Gordon Gates, of North Pownal, Michael Lillie and Rosemary, of Shaftsbury, Judy Somerville, of Bennington, and Teresa Lillie, of Pownal; an aunt, Mary Patterson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including his nephew Matthew Somerville, who was his “sidekick.”

He was predeceased by one brother-in-law, Ralph Lillie, and one nephew, James Somerville.

Services were held on Tuesday, June 30, at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Pownal.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Foundation or the Town of Searsburb Pavilion fund through the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.