RICHARD “DICK” ANDRE CHOQUETTE

NEW HAVEN/WILLISTON — Dick Choquette, 80, a longtime resident of New Haven, more recently Williston, passed away on Feb. 19, 2024, surrounded by his wife and daughters at his home, following a progressive neurological disease.

Dick was born May 27, 1943, in Bennington, Vt., to the late Albina (Bathalon) and Dorily Choquette. He was raised on his family’s dairy farm in New Haven, attended Beeman Academy and later went on to graduate from Champlain College. He married Carol Bolduc and raised two daughters, Michelle and Krissy. Carol passed away unexpectedly in 1995. Dick was blessed to meet Sandra (Thompson) Choquette and he embraced Sandra’s four adult children. They were married in 2003. Dick worked as a Contracts Administrator at the former Simmonds Precision. Dick also joined the National Guard and was deployed to Vietnam in the late sixties, where he proudly served his country.

Dick was an avid sports fan. He loved watching the Yankees and the Giants, especially with his daughters. One of his true loves was Whitetail deer hunting, and he enjoyed many years chasing after the “big one” throughout the United States and Canada with his close group of hunting buddies. He always looked forward to the hunting breakfast he shared with them. He had a great love for the outdoors, including working in the family sugar house each spring with his brother and sisters. In one of his last special memories of his life, Sandra took Dick on a cross country road trip, eventually ending up at a lodge in Montana. This had always been a dream for him to visit Montana and was never happier.

Dick is survived by his wife, Sandra of Williston, Vt.; daughters, Michelle Choquette and her partner Les Velders of Brooklyn N.Y., and Krissy Bolton, her husband Gabriel, and their two children, Malin and Nora of South Burlington, Vt.; stepchildren Michele Sands (Clint) of Minnesota, Michael Thompson of Williston, Vt., Tiffany Shaw (Josh) of New Haven, Vt., and Ginger Cloud Ohl (Darren) of Barre, Vt. Dick is also survived by his three stepgrandchildren, Christopher Thompson of Bridport, Evan Holland (Alayna) of Minnesota, Tori Holland of Minnesota, and one great-granddaughter, Harlow of Minnesota. Dick is survived by all of his siblings, Albert (Jeannine) Choquette of New Haven, Jeanne Choquette of New Haven, Claire Lathrop (Jim) of Rogersville, Tenn. and Louise Dorazio (Tom) of Dennis, Mass. He also is survived by two nieces (Lorraine and Megan) and four nephews (Pierre, Jason, Justin and Matthew). He will be sadly missed by all who knew him with his quiet and kind, yet funny, demeanor.

A service will be held at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes on Saturday Feb. 24, at 11:30 a.m., followed by a celebration of life held at the American Legion Post 14 in Vergennes. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Home Health and Hospice, with a very special mention to his nurse, Sage, who provided compassionate care and support for Dick and the entire family.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to UVMMC Home Health and Hospice in Williston, Vt., or your local hospice. ◊