BRISTOL — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clayton M. Ladeau Jr. on Dec. 26, 2020, at Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing.
Clayte was born Aug. 3, 1928, the son of Clayton Ladeau Sr. and Lena (Bristol) Ladeau, in Lincoln, Vt. He attended schools in Bristol. He married Zelva (Flower) in Brandon, Vt., on Aug. 4, 1947. Clayte and Zelva became the proud parents of their son, Brian, whom they adored.
Clayte worked at Drake & Smith Furniture Company for many years before he and Zelva started their own furniture company, Deerleap Furniture Co., in 1966. They had retail stores, first on Main Street in Bristol, then in the Cartmell Complex (now known as Marble Works) in Middlebury and at Tenneybrook Square in Shelburne. Clayte was extremely talented at designing pine furniture and manufacturing it with his son, Brian, at their shop on Briggs Hill for many years. In his later years, Clayte drove Bristol tour buses all over the country, as well as Betcha Transit school buses for years.
He is survived by his son, Brian and wife Pam; his grandchildren, Carmen and husband Don Jochum, and Brian II and fiancée Megan; his great-grandchildren, Marissa and Kristina Jochum and Logan, Noah and Cameron Ladeau. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Ildolyn Ahearn.
He was predeceased by his father and mother; his wife Zelva; his brothers, Herman and Bruce; and sisters Barbara Maranville, Lucille Devino, Joyce Usher and Peg Coates.
Clayte was very involved in the Cairo Temple Clown Unit as “Boo-Boo” the clown. He was also a member of the Libanus Masonic Lodge 47 in Bristol.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Bristol Rescue Squad, Addison County Home Health and Hospice, UVM Porter Medical Center, Helen Porter Health and Rehabilitation and Dr. Kate LaMancuso of Mountain Health Center.
Due to COVID-19, there will be no service at this time. To send online condolences, please visit gregorycremation.com.
Donations can be sent to either Bristol Rescue, P.O. Box 227, Bristol, VT 05443, or to Addison County Home Health, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.◊