MIDDLEBURY — Rick Warner, age 72, caring father, husband, brother and Grampy, passed away Jan. 10, 2023, surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer.

Rick was born Dec. 4, 1950, in Middlebury, Vt., the second-oldest of eight children. He attended Middlebury Union High School and went on to marry his loving wife, Louise (Larocque) Warner, on May 12, 1973, and they were just shy of celebrating 50 married years together. They had two children, Shawn (Michelle) and Neil (Jamie) who both live nearby with their families.  He was so proud of his five grandchildren, Hunter, Nolan, Cody, Leah and Zane Warner.  

Rick had many jobs, but he spent the last 40 years working for JP Carrara & Sons, not to mention the fact that he returned to work in the summer of 2022 and ran excavator for them, he still had work to do.

Rick had many interests; aside from the love for his family and friends, his greatest love was hunting. He mentored first his two sons and then his grandsons as well as others who would go on to develop a passion for the hunt. He spent many seasons traveling to his friends and second family in Pike County, Ill.; earning a Pope & Young Bowhunting Big Game Record with a score of 126 1/8” in 2004. His determination and love for hunting also resulted in one last trip west in November 2022 with his son Shawn. When Rick put his mind to something, he accomplished it.

When Rick wasn’t working, you could find him hanging out with his close friends at C&S Hunting Supply, and in more recent times his close friends would make frequent and regular visits to him at his home. Ask anyone, he loved a good joke and could tell a story like no other. We can only hope his stories and stories of him will resonate for years to come through family and friends.  

Rick is survived by his wife of 49 years, Louise; his puggle Evie (aka Fatty); his two sons, Shawn (Michelle) and Neil (Jamie); his brothers, Gary Warner and Bill Warner; three sisters, Sue Warner-Murray, Carol Warner and Joyce Warner; and his five grandchildren. He also leaves behind many close friends.  

He was predeceased by his father, Earl; mother, Shirley; and brothers Jim Warner and Ronald “Bugger” Warner.

An informal celebration of life will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, from 3-6 p.m. at the American Legion in Middlebury, Vt.  We encourage friends and family members to come share a story and a laugh as Rick would like so much.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, at P.O. Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753. The family would like to thank particularly Laura, Sara and Cheryl, who took such good care of Rick over the past year and a half.  They really took him in like family and we so very much appreciate it.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊