NEW HAVEN — Gerard A. Lavoie Sr. passed away on Feb. 10, 2021, at his home in New Haven.
Gerard was born on Oct. 24, 1935, to Anthony and Irene (Duford) Lavoie in Brockton, Mass.
Gerard was raised in Shoreham, Vt., where he graduated from Shoreham High School. He excelled in baseball and basketball while in High School. He joined the U.S. Army in 1954, where he was a munitions personnel, and was honorably discharged in 1957. Gerard married Leona (Martel) on January 23, 1957, in Johnsonville, N.Y. They moved to Shoreham, Vt., where they had four of their five children: Gerard Jr., Teresa, Lisa and Valeri. They then moved to North Attleboro, Mass., where they had Michelle. He had two special daughters, Laurie St. Cyr and Jen Brocho and her mom.
Gerard was a farmer most of his life, then went into business for himself hauling cattle. He also worked at the Big Barn Furniture Store and the car wash in Vergennes, Vt. He enjoyed hunting, skeet shooting, fishing and bowling. Gerard taught several of his grandsons how to shoot and load ammo.
Gerard is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his sisters, Marguerite Dorsey and Mary Lavoie.
He is survived by his brother Leo Lavoie of Bethlehem, N.H.; his children Gerard A. Lavoie Jr. of New Haven, Teresa (Stephan) Fontneau of Attleboro, Mass., Lisa (Frederick) Wanner of Laurel, Mont.; Valeri (Nick Chamberland) Lavoie of Belleview, Fla.: and Michelle (Ronald) Gorton of New Haven, Vt. He also has 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. A mask is required for services. Interment will be in North Ferrisburgh Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to UVM Children’s Hospital, 111 Colchester Ave., Main Campus, East Pavilion, Level 4, Burlington, VT 05401. To send online condolences to his family please visit brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊