Robert (Bob) George Thibault
VENICE, FL: Robert (Bob) Thibault, 84 years old, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on May 3, 2020, after struggling with the results of several strokes and vascular dementia. Thankfully, the Lord provided an opportunity for his children to visit him in his care facility (in lockdown due to COVID 19) just a few days before he passed away.
Bob was born in Burlington, on June 10, 1935, the son of Loomis and Ethel (Thomas) Thibault. Bob graduated from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, in 1953. Following high school, Bob took a job working for Mr. Brown at the Brown Company, an appliance sales & service business in St. Albans. Mr. Brown taught Bob appliance repair, but even more importantly, Mr. Brown introduced him to Jesus Christ and Bob started reading the Bible. At age 19, Bob became a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus and followed Him from then on, introducing many others to his Savior along the way. The Lord brought Betty into his life through a mutual friend, Mabel Moore and they were married on May 17, 1958. Bob vowed to love, honor, and cherish Betty all the days of his life – in sickness and in health. He remained devoted and faithful to his bride for 61 years (including her final years with Alzheimer’s disease) until Bob was predeceased by Betty on March 11, 2020. They were apart for only a short time on earth before rejoining with their Lord in heaven.
Bob is survived by his son Michael and wife Lisa Thibault of Pasadena, Maryland, and his son Jeffrey and wife Donda Thibault of St. Albans, Vermont. He is also survived by his brother Francis and wife Marlene Thibault and sister Marge and husband Gene Boren. Bob also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Jonathan Thibault and his wife Laura Madeline, Sarah Palumbo, and her husband Adam, Alex Thibault, and Ben Thibault, great-granddaughter Lydia Palumbo and many nieces and nephews.
Bob worked for 25 years as an Appliance Technician for Sears. Upon his semi-retirement, he started the family appliance business, Bob Thibault & Sons with his sons, nephew, wife, and daughter-in-law. Bob and Betty loved their family and shared their love of travel with them, enjoying many memorable trips together over the years. One of their favorite places to travel was Maine and in particular, Acadia National Park. They enjoyed spending summers in Vermont and winters in Florida for many years until eventually becoming full-time Florida residents when traveling back and forth became too difficult.
Bob was a member of Redeeming Grace Church in Georgia, VT, and then a member of First Baptist Church of Venice, FL when they moved to Florida full-time. Bob served in prison ministry for many years and continued to receive letters from the men he had ministered to. He loved listening to classical music with the volume cranked up. In quieter moments, he enjoyed studying his Bible (particularly prophecy), which lead to hosting many years of Bible studies in the Thibault home.
Bob’s family would like to thank the many people and organizations that helped in his caregiving and encouragement through his remaining years, including the many dedicated professionals at Bay Breeze Health & Rehabilitation Center of Venice, Florida, the staff and leadership of the Senior Friendship Center of Venice – in particular Paula Falk, Nancy Lyerla, Jim Johnson and the many wonderful folks in the Alzheimer’s support group that Bob attended every Tuesday, Tidewell Hospice of Venice and the members and leadership of First Baptist Church of Venice, in particular some very dedicated servants of the Lord, Janis Eisman, Christa Monahan, Jim & Barb Walker and David & Suzanne Burke.
A joint memorial service and celebration of Bob and Betty’s lives will be held at a date yet to be determined.
Memorial contributions can be made to Senior Friendship Center of Venice, Caregivers Services, 2350 Scenic Drive, Venice, Florida 34293 and/or Alzheimer’s Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, 14010 Roosevelt Boulevard – # 709, Clearwater, Florida 33762.
Assisting the Thibault family is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
