ROCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) – Marvin Harvey finds peace at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Rochester.
“I’m the cemetery commissioner and I have been for 45 years,” he said.
Marvin soon will be 90. He celebrates his birthday not by the year, but by the decade.
“Because there is something from every decade that is a big influence,” he explained. “I was born in a bad decade, the middle of the depression.”
Marvin grew up on a farm in town, one of six boys.
“We did our farm work with horses,” he said.
Reporter Joe Carroll: So you were not a rich kid growing up.
Marvin Harvey: No, no, I was not. My father paid the bills, though.
Marvin put down the milk can and picked up a wrench, becoming both a plumber and electrician. He then started buying up buildings in the area.
“I took a chance. I took a chance. And I was willing to take a chance. I guess maybe that’s what life is– taking a chance,” he said.
He fixed and flipped properties, keeping some of them.
Joe Carroll: So, you’ve got your hands still in a little bit of business in town.
Marvin Havey: Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
Like a historic building in the middle of the village. There’s also a laundromat.
Marvin Harvey: We were the first laundromat to have solar hot water in the state.
Joe Carroll: For an old guy, you’re pretty up-to-date.
Marvin Harvey: Well! I believe in sun; I’m a farmer!
As decades go, the 1990s were a time to celebrate. He married Barbara.
Joe Carroll: Who’s more outgoing?
Barbara Harvey: He’s definitely more outgoing, Marv is.
Joe Carroll: You’re kind of like the mayor of the town here.
Marvin Harvey: (Laughs) No.
Barbara Harvey: Yes. A lot of people say that.
Marvin’s been on pretty much every board there is in town, generous with his time and money.
“Over the years, my wife and I– remember, she’s been part of it– a half a million, easily,” he said.
For Marvin’s 90th birthday, he doesn’t want gifts, but donations to help replace a water fountain stolen from the cemetery decades ago. He figures it will cost $50,000 for a new one.
Joe Carroll: That’s a big birthday present.
Marvin Harvey: Yes it is.
Joe Carroll: So you’re going to put some of your own money into this?
Marvin Harvey: Oh, yes.
Many of Marvin’s relatives are buried here. One stands out. His grandmother Sarah “Sadie” Rix. She kept the restless boy busy, playing piano and reading to him.
“I was a problem kid because I needed something to do,” he said.
Marvin thinks she’s part of the reason for his success.
“She’s with me every day,” he said.
Remembering his roots and looking forward to the future.
“Yeah,” he said, “it’s a new decade.”