WYATT JAMESON ROCHON

ADDISON — Our beautiful, beloved son, Wyatt Jameson Rochon, left this world unexpectedly, carried on the wings of an angel, on March 23, 2025. During his short time in this world, he touched everyone’s heart and made their days brighter.

Wyatt was born in Burlington, Vt., on April 11, 2005, to proud parents Mike Rochon and Alaina Salgado of Addison, VT. He attended Addison Central School and Vergennes Union High School, graduating with honors. As a high school junior and senior, he also attended the Patricia Hannaford Career Center, enrolling in the Medical Professions program. This program gave him college credits that he subsequently transferred to Vermont State University, Castleton, where he began his pre-requisites for an Athletic Trainer major. In his freshman year at Castleton, he was already achieving honors.

As well as academic talent, Wyatt had a strong work ethic. He started working for the Starry Night Café when he was a junior in high school. He continued working there while attending Castleton. He started out as a dishwasher and quickly mastered all aspects of the restaurant profession. Starry valued him for his versatility, dependability and his cool head under pressure. Wyatt was often one of the last workers to leave after a shift, making sure to say good-bye to everyone with a fist bump. He loved his chicken wings and steak tartare.

Wyatt’s true passion was basketball. His favorite team was the Celtics. We are thankful that he was able to attend a live Celtics game in Boston! Wyatt truly looked up to all his coaches, who nurtured him in the sport he loved. He played from middle school through high school, joining the Pro-City and the West Central teams. His dedication to the sport motivated him to show up for practice at the gym, very early in the mornings, before his classes started. He had quite an impressive hook shot!

Wyatt’s other great passion was collecting Pokémon cards and gaming. He was so familiar with the cards that, with just one look, he could tell if a card was genuine or not. He had an impressively large collection and knew the value of all of the cards. His love for basketball and Pokémon led to a special friendship with an exchange student from Singapore, proving that Wyatt’s outreach had no bounds.

He was also an animal lover. As a boy he volunteered at Homeward Bound, the Addison County Humane Society. He had a lifelong love of cats, and will be especially missed by his feline friend, Chester, who was adopted from this shelter.

Wyatt had a special way of attracting the best in all. He always put his friends first, before himself. He was a gentle, respectful, compassionate, selfless, kind soul, a peacemaker. He outwardly had a passion for life, and he loved to make his friends laugh. He had a special gift for interacting with young children. He was a gentle playmate for them, able to get down to their level. This was especially evident in his relationship with his niece, Raein, who delighted in riding on his back, chasing him, and tugging on him. Wyatt was all for it!

Finally, Wyatt was a special part of the Addison Independent’s “employee family” for many years. He could often be found in the conference room, waiting for his mom to finish up her work for the day. Addy Indy staff might find him sleeping on the “blue couch,” reading, watching videos, belly-balancing on the medicine ball, or doing homework.

Wyatt was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Frank Salgado and his paternal grandmother, Raymonde Rochon. He leaves behind his paternal grandfather, Marcel Rochon and his maternal grandmother, Sandra Salgado. He is survived by his loving parents, Mike Rochon and Alaina Salgado; his brother, Devin Rochon and Devin’s wife and daughter, Chanda and Raein. Wyatt also leaves behind several uncles, aunts, and cousins: Uncle Maurice, Aunt Shannon, Morgan, Kielee, Jacob, Josh, and Anthony; Aunt Linda and Shawn; Uncle Tony, Aunt Amy, Danilo, Raina, Darion, Samantha, Brinley, and Tristan; Uncle Allen; Aunt Ann; and Chester (“For President”).

We would like to thank the first responders on the scene. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support of our community, our friends, our family, and our church. To all of you who have so graciously and selflessly remembered our most precious son in your thoughts, prayers, and donations, God Bless!

There will be no public calling hours. A mass will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 326 College St., Middlebury, Vt., on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. Wyatt’s celebration of life will follow the mass. The time and venue will be announced shortly.

Condolences may be left on Wyatt’s obituary webpage, courtesy of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Service, www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. Contributions in Wyatt’s name may be made to the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, 106 Panton Rd., Vergennes, Vt., or to the Addison County Humane Society. 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, Vt.◊