George R. L’Esperance Sr.
STUART, FL/ST. ALBANS, VT: George R. L’Esperance Sr. passed away peacefully at Cleveland Clinic North Hospital in Stuart, Florida on December 23, 2023, with his partner Patricia Ryan and son John L’Esperance at his bedside. Sadly, two of his other sons, Norman and Timothy L’Esperance, arrived at the hospital from Vermont just a half hour after George’s passing. George was 93 years old.
George was born on April 23, 1930, in St. Albans, Vermont the son of the late Delphis and Germaine (Boucher) L’Esperance.
He was a Navy veteran and served his country during WW II. George was proud of his Navy service and was a long-standing member of the American Legion and VFW in St. Albans. George also worked for the railroad and the St. Albans Fire Department. His love of cooking led him to open and own two restaurants – one in St. Albans on Lake Street (George’s Place) and one in Swanton, Vt. George loved cooking for family and friends at his winter home in Stuart, Florida. He also liked to fish thus the waters around Stuart gave him many opportunities to cast a line. During the summer months in Vermont, you could usually find George tending his garden. He truly enjoyed providing his homegrown tomatoes and raspberries to family and friends.
George was also an accomplished contractor. He mostly had his family members work for him – sons, sons-in-law, brothers, and even his father at times. Kind and generous to a fault, George always aimed to do his best to help his family and friends. You could always count on George for a smile and a laugh in good times and not-so-good times.
George met his soulmate Patricia (“Pat”) Ryan in 2002. Over the years they had great times traveling to New Orleans, Key West, casinos in New York and Florida, not to mention playing cards and games with family and friends. George and Pat were never ones to sit and rock – instead, they were always full of life and on the go.
He is survived by his brothers Gerard (Rita), Maurice (Haroldine), Armand, Larry (Dale), and Raymond (Linda Ryan).
George is also survived by his children Norman (Kathy), Janet (Rick), John (Rob), Timothy (Lisa), Billie Jo (Tony), and Stephen; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
George was predeceased by his sisters Gertrude (Joseph) Sheloski and Alma (Howard) Harvey, brothers Edward (Violet) and Francis (Elaine), son George R. Jr., and daughter Joan (Norman).
George’s family will receive family and friends on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from 10 am – 12 pm at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans, VT
A Mass will follow at 12:30 pm at Holy Angels Church, 246 Lake Street, St. Albans followed by a reception at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Hall, 100 Parah Dr., St. Albans.
Honored to be serving the family of George is Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com
