MEREDITH - Wilfred Thomas Jurjens, died Feb. 12, 2022, at the age of 91.

He was born June 18, 1930, the son of the late Mello and Anita (Haynes) Jurjens. He lived his entire life on the family farm on Route 28 in Meredith.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Mello Jr. and wife, Elva (Dibble), Lester and wife, Mae (Townsend); sister, Dolores and her husband, Frank (Stoesser); and son-in-law, Richard S. Bell.

Wilfred "Willie" is survived by wife, Viola (Giudice) Jurjens; sons, Paul and Jim; and daughter, Gina Bell. He's also survived by grandsons, Ryan Bell, Nathan Bell and his wife, Melinda; great-granddaughters, Cassidy and Violet; and several nieces and nephews.

Willie worked at Kiff's and Agway for 35 years, delivering feed to the many dairy farms in the area.

He was the secret Santa of our childhood. For 20 years the children of the town of Meredith looked forward to Santa's visit, on Christmas Eve, delivering bags of fruits and nuts and naming off all of his reindeer.

Willie was well-known as the local historian of Meridale Farms.

He traveled far and wide locating former employees and their relatives, to get as much information as could be found about life on Meridale Farms in the 1930s and 40s. He shared those finds every year at the Meredith Dairy Fest.

Willie was a great storyteller! He wrote a book, "The Thing of It," sharing stories of the days of old.

Willie was one of a kind; a happy man who loved people and never met a stranger. He loved to travel, camping across America, telling anybody that would listen about his beloved Delaware County and of his Woodside Jersey Farm.

He loved to laugh and sing and dance and whistle. He welcomed all into his life, and was loved by many.

Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home of Franklin.

Share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Jurjens family online at www.bennettfh.com.