Born October 11, 1921 in Stephens Mills, New York to Dewitt M. Sherwood and Rhea L. Whiteneck – Passed away November 19, 2013 at the Broadwater Health Center in Townsend
Raised in Hornell, New York and attended school there graduating from Hornell High School in 1939. He was the second oldest of 7 children. His father was a real estate broker who also owned rental property and bought and sold homes. He assisted his father in repairing and maintaining the properties and learned his carpenter skills from this early experience. In the late 1930’s he traveled to Montana and spent a summer working on a ranch owned by the Wallace family which would lead to a move in his life several years later. He married Anita Mae Tucker on July 31, 1941 and by the end of 1941 WW2 had begun and he joined the Navy serving as an aircraft mechanic on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. He saw action on the south Pacific during the war and was discharged in November 1945.
He returned to Hornell and started a hardware business with his brother Dewitt called Sherwood Brothers Hardware. The hardware business didn’t suit either he or his brother well and in June 1950 he decided to move the family which included two children (Sydney and Skip) to Townsend Montana. He found work working in the Canyon Ferry Dam which was under construction. He then worked in construction as a carpenter/contractor for the rest of his career. He and Anita had three more children in Montana, Carl (1952), Leslie (1954) and a latecomer Marnie (1965). In 1964 while watching the winter Olympics in Squaw Valley he took up an interest in skiing and so did the rest of the family. In addition to skiing he often volunteered to take many of the local kids to all kinds of events including school outings, baseball, basketball, and football games traveling in a hearse that served as an early SUV. Cactus also was a home brewer many years before it became a trend and he usually would bring some of his latest brew to various events to share with those who liked beer.
In the early 1980’s he divorced and later married Marjorie Olsen in April 1988 who had 4 children, Gary, Greg, Lori, and Tom. Retirement came in 1983 and he continued to enjoy music, reading, traveling, photography, skiing and visiting friends & family. He rarely traveled without his camera which was usually mounted on a tri-pod with a self-timer which allowed him to be in many of the photos. His enjoyment of music began with Glen Miller during the war and later turned to rock and roll when his kids became teenagers. Cactus was a one-of-kind character who enjoyed an active life. He is survived by his wife Majorie, brother Dewitt, children Sydney Webb (Jim), Skip, Carl, Leslie Skinner (Bernie), and Marnie along with step children Greg Olsen, Tom Olsen, and Lori Calabrese in addition to 7 grandchildren. Contributions can be made to the Broadwater Health Center.
A memorial service celebrating Cactus’ life was held at noon on Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 212 Broadway in Townsend. A reception followed the memorial service at the American Legio. Memorials in Cactus’ name are suggested to the Salvation Army of Helena, 1905 Henderson, Helena, MT 59601.
Connie (Valentine)Gelvin says
There are just too many memories to list but I will give a few. He and my dad built a fiberglass sail boat that you had to lie on and use your feet to steer. Many good times at the lake every summer. Of course the lavender hearse. Syd was mortified until all the kids thought it was fantastic. It was a honor to ride in it. All of the holidays together, going to Bozeman hot springs for Easter, the picnics up deep creek. Every town had a “character”, and Cactus was ours. Rest in peace old friend.
Jim Valentine says
Many family memories! We did so many things together as families; every holiday, many outdoor trips, the lake, whether it was on the ice boat or sail boat, we were always going somewhere to do something fun. He would take us kids up into the limestone mountains and we would role huge boulders down the mountain. He would make beer but he also made great home-made root beer. Drinking it out of the beer bottles did not make a good impression. As kids we thought that was pretty fun. I do not think our mothers thought so. He lived a long active life.
Pat Cutler says
Marjorie-You and I worked together for many years at Blue Shield. I just read about Cactus passing away and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and all of the family. You and Cactus had some very memorable years and ones you will always remember. When things seem blue and down just sit back and remember all the great things you and Cactus did and cherish those moments. Please know you have many old friends who care.
Steve Kaul says
Ole Cactus, What a special, Unique fellow he was to my family. He taught me how to ski and was my dads best ski buddy for years. I’m sure one of the first people in line to greet Cactus after his passing was my dad, Ervin, as I am sure that he was happy to see his ole Ski partner. I have so many memories of him and still think of the pink Hearse that he used for skiing. They do not make them like Cactus anymore and we will all miss him!!
Karen Sherwood Blitz says
Dear Montana cousins,
Your dad was a truly creative individual who certainly followed his heart.
I have fond memories of the time y’all visited us in Flemington, New Jersey. I love the story about the family outing in the pink hearse to visit Carl’s Yankees (?) in New York City. During that visit we all picked wild strawberries together in the nearby fields and most ended up with poison ivy.
Then a few years later during our move out west to Oregon the six in my family dropped into Townsend for a few days. It was during that stay that Uncle Ebbie took us ROCK ROLLIN’ and GOLD PANNIN’. Whoa. Now that was a thrill for us suburban kids!
In my eyes he was a generous, adventuresome, athletic, handy, colorful, quirky, fun-loving fellow with a ready smile and a great sense of humor. I send you all my deep sympathy. Love, KSB