Gary John Gaudette
ST. ALBANS: Gary John Gaudette, a lifelong area resident and longtime associate and former President with Leader Evaporator, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, November 8th, 2020, following a brief illness with his family at his side at the UVM Medical Center.
He was born in St. Albans on July 22nd, 1947, the son of the late Louis J. and Caroline (Pilbin) Gaudette. Gary was 73 years old.
On July 16th, 1966, in Holy Angels Church, he married the love of his life Joyce Brown who survives him.
Gary was a BFA graduate of 1966. He then enlisted in the Vermont National Army Guard in 1966, serving until 2007, retiring as a first sergeant. Gary went on to work at Leader Evaporator in 1966 as a clerk, retiring in 2015 as President of many years. In 1983 he was appointed to the Vermont Maple Industry Council and then a year later he was elected an honorary member of the North American Maple Syrup Council. Gary was named the Maple Person of the year by the Vermont Maple Industry Council in 1996. He was recipient of the first Lynn Reynolds International Maple Syrup Industry Leadership Award, and he was the past Chair of the Vermont Maple Industry Council. In 2000, he was inducted into the Maple Hall of Fame and was awarded the Sumner H. Williams Cup.
Maple was in his blood, he worked in the industry but also enjoyed sugaring with his brother Randy and family in their own woods, and many hours of boiling with Damian Branon and family at Shady Maples. Gary was also an avid outdoorsman; he always looked forward to hunting and fishing with family and friends. Summertime was also special because of the hours spent by the lake with all of his campground “family”.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Joyce, of St. Albans, and their children, Kelly LeBlanc, (Steve) of Swanton and Kenneth Gaudette (Lisa), of Shrewsbury MA; grandchildren, Christopher LeBlanc (Ashley), Kevin LeBlanc (Skyler), Paige Gaudette, and Tyler Gaudette, and great granddaughter Kinsley LeBlanc. Gary is also survived by his sister, Brenda Helfrich (Otis), and brothers Randy Gaudette (Lisa), and Timothy Gaudette (Stacey), mother-in-law, Irene Brown, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Gary was predeceased by his brother, Alan Gaudette, and father-in-law, Kenneth Brown.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, November, 12th, 2020, from 5-8pm at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main Street.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 13th, 2020, at 11am at Holy Angels Church, 245 Lake St. Prayers of committal and military honors will be private for his family at the St. Albans Bay Cemetery at a later date.
During calling hours and mass, COVID 19 restrictions will be followed.
Gary’s family asks that memorials in his name be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478.
Those who wish to offer a message of condolence or share a memory, kindly go to Gary’s online guest book at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
