SAMUEL R. BOOSKA

EAST MIDDLEBURY —Samuel R. Booska, age 72, passed peacefully, surrounded by children, at his home in East Middlebury.

Sam was born in Warrenton, Va., on January 3, 1951. He grew up in a military family. Following his education, he joined the United States Army and served in Vietnam. Following his Honorable Discharge, he came to Vermont and began his working career at Brandon Training School until their closing in 1993, and afterwards worked another 20 years for the Vermont Department of Labor, retiring in 2013.

He enjoyed soft ball, cribbage, horseshoes, loved watching old western movies and visits from family and friends. He was a member of Middlebury American legion Post 27.

Surviving are his son, Christopher J. Booska (Trudy) of Brandon; one daughter, Michelle M. Whitney (Jason) of East Middlebury; three brothers, Earl Booska and Ora Booska, both of Bristol, and Carl Booska of Vergennes; and two sisters, Penny Schill of Toledo, Ohio, and Terri Booska of Burlington. Grandchildren Dakota Booska, Cole Booska, Ryan Harvey, Corrin Laraway, Tyler Laraway, Justin Whitney and Tyler Whitney; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive him. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Jane Booska and his life partner Kerry Ward.

A graveside committal service and burial, with Military Honors, will take place, on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m., at Farmingdale Veterans Cemetery in East Middlebury. Following the ceremony the family will receive friends, for a celebration of his life at Middlebury American Legion Post l7, from noon until 3 p.m.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made, in his memory to; Middlebury American Legion Post 27, 49 Wilson Road, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.◊