Maurice P. Karmen, 71, passed away peacefully at UMass Hospital on July 9, 2025, after suffering a serious stroke while residing at the Bear Mountain Skilled Nursing Facility in Worcester, MA. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

Maurice was born in Bellows Falls, VT on January 18, 1954, and resided at 18 Green Road, North Walpole, NH his entire life. He attended Fall Mountain Regional High School. In 1974, he enlisted in the US Army and served as Sergeant First Class, stationed in Germany along the East/West border for six years.

After his honorable discharge in 1980, Maurice returned to his childhood home. He earned his GED and attended CCV taking computer and technical courses. He spent his 35+ year long career as Shipping Manager for Whitney Blake Company in Bellows Falls, VT until his retirement in 2015.

Maurice was a 44 year member of the Elks Lodge No.1619 in Bellows Falls, VT and served as Lodge Chaplain in 1982-1983, 2002-2003, and 2014-2017. He became a Life Member in January 2019.

For anyone who knew our brother, he was a simple and kind soul. He took such delight in life’s simple pleasures – fishing and boating alongside our brother, Charlie, taking his dogs for a ride in his truck, lounging in his backyard, reading the bible or newspaper and feeding the birds, dinner and holiday celebrations with his family etc. He was known by many for taking his beloved Queenie or Princess for daily walks through the village. He was an awesome brother, uncle, mentor, friend, animal lover, and no matter how little he had, he always said there were others worse off. He had a very strong faith in God which supported him throughout his life.

Maurice was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Halina Karmen; his brother, Charles G. Karmen; his niece, Jenifer Karmen; and his grandmother, Anelia Karpinski. Maurice leaves behind three siblings, Edward (and Donna) Karmen of Walpole, NH, Judy Barbera (and Dan) of Springfield, VT, and Bernadette Whitcomb (and Kenneth) of Highgate, VT. Maurice also leaves behind his niece, Carisa Ledoux (and Gordon) and children of Swanton, VT; and his nephews, Robert Barbera, Jr. of Rio Ranchos, NM; Jacob Karmen (Sonja) and children of North Walpole, NH; Jay Whitcomb (Kiley) and children of Swanton, VT; and Neal Whitcomb (Katrina Tallman) of Cambridgeport, VT.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Charles Church, Bellows Falls, VT, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A reception immediately following the burial will be held at St. Charles Social Center next to the St. Charles Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests donations to Silver Towers Camp, a charitable project of the Vermont Elks Associations. This residential summer camp serves those with mental and physical challenges. Donations can be mailed to Silver Towers, Attn: Patty Ristau, Treasurer, PO Box 756, Williamstown, VT 05679-0756.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.