FORESTDALE — Ian David Grant Booth, 85, of Forestdale, Vt., passed away peacefully with his family by his side at The Meadows Nursing Home.
Ian was born March 4, 1935, in Vergennes, Vt., to Austin David Booth and Christine Grant Booth. He graduated from Vergennes Union High School in 1954. He joined the United States Air Force after graduating and was stationed for some time in Germany. He was employed by A & P and Grand Union for many years. In 1976 he fulfilled his dream of owning a general store. He owned Booth’s Junction Store in Forestdale, Vt., for 25 years.
Ian was passionately involved for many years as a Guardian ad litem. He married Doreen Anning on March 3, 1960. He adopted Doreen’s daughter Julie Marie and he and Doreen had four daughters — Deborah Ann, Diana Lynn, Alison Jane and Maureen Anita. He later married Rena Marie Castonguay in 1980. He and Rena were married for 35 years.
He enjoyed going for drives anywhere, loved shopping (especially Costco), golfing when younger, and watching Red Sox baseball and Bruins hockey. He loved people and had the gift to gab and loved chatting with his customers at the store. When he came to live at The Meadows, he made many friends and was often found sitting at the nurses’ station visiting with staff and residents.
He was very proud of his daughters, stepchildren and grandchildren. He enjoyed having his grandchildren over for sleepovers, family gatherings and holidays and never missed an opportunity to attend their sporting or school events. He was easy-going, good natured and lenient and allowed his grandchildren to get away with most everything.
Ian is survived by his sister, Jean Burrell and her husband Pat and their children Kevin Austion, Karen Sue and Michelle Jean; his five daughters, Julie Marie Larocca, Deborah Ann Kimball and her husband William, Diana Lynn Harvey, Alison Jane McCullough and Maureen Anita Booth; his stepchildren, Donny Castonguay and Lynn Delancey; his granddaughters, Sarah and Stephanie Kimball, Nicole and Natalie Marchese, Brittany Booth, Ian “Taylor” Booth and Avery Provin, Brandi and Travis Delancey and Ryan Castonguay. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rena Castonguay, in 2012 and his daughter-in-law, Mary Castonguay.
A 21-gun Shriner salute and Full Masons graveside memorial service will be held at Gage Cemetery in Ferrisburgh, on Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. Barnard Funeral Home in Pittsford is handling the service.◊