• Lionel A. Deslaurier

Lionel A. Deslaurier of So. Burlington, VT died on Saturday, July 25, 2015. Born January 22, 1928 – son of Gelase & Dolores (Charest) Deslaurier in Brockton, Massachusetts. He is the beloved husband of Barbara M. (Hanscom) Deslaurier who survives him. He is also survived by their children: Wayne & Kim Deslaurier of Bolton, VT; Craig & Muffy Deslaurier of So. Burlington, VT, Michele & Britt Cummings of Huntington, VT; Denise & Glenn Lavigne of Milton, VT and Linda & Leon Corse of Whitingham, VT.

Grandfather of Julie (Deslaurier) Coulombe; Patricia (Deslaurier) & Brian Reeve; Spartacus & Laura Deslaurier; Beth (Deslaurier) & Jon Champlin; Dana & Kristin Cummings; April (Cummings) & Matthew Jolley; Lauren (Cummings) & Aaron Cornelius; Erica Cummings; Kathryn (Cummings) & Don March; Jennifer Cummings; Nathan Cummings; Forrester Lavigne; Adam Lavigne; Abbie Corse & husband, Dave Powell; Caleb & Lindsay Corse; Henry Corse.

Great-Grandfather of Kristina & Michelle Coulombe; Colin & Amber Reeve; Eros & Winter Deslaurier; August & Reid Champlin; Mica & Skylar Cummings; Matthew & Hailey Jolley, Cody, Sierra, Emma and Mary Lou Jolley; Sophie, Ben, Jacob & Noah Cornelius; Miriam & Seth March; Eli & Niko Powell.

Survived by his sister Lucille Maroon; brother-in-law Howie Hanscom & his wife, Joanne; and Edith Packer as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers Roland and Jerry, as well as his sisters, Claire, Viola, Pauline and Yvonne.

Lionel grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, served in the U.S. Navy in WW II on the Battleship USS Arkansas and the Destroyer J.C. Owens.

He worked in the horticultural trade, was a meat cutter, a fire fighter, wall paper hanger, painter, carpenter and wood craftsman. Lionel & Barbara owned & operated the A&W in Essex Junction for many years. In his “retirement” years, he worked for Engineers Construction and then truly retired in 2008.

Lionel was a Third Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, St. John Vianney Council 7525.

He enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, fishing, boating and hiking. At the urging of some very special friends, Deacon Joe Lane, Bob Penders and a nephew, Bob Stone, he attempted to learn the game of golf which had him laughing more than ever at the vagaries of life.

He had a lifelong devotion to his church, family & friends. He wished to commend all the valiant men he served with and under in the Navy, and the Fire Departments of Weymouth, Massachusetts and Bolton, Vermont, as well as the men & women of ECI whom he held in the highest esteem for their dedication to the job. To these he wished to say: Thank you!

The family wishes to acknowledge the care and concern shown to Lionel, Barbara and their family by Dr. Jonathan Hayden; Dr. John Fitzgerald; the Nephrology and Dialysis Unit in So. Burlington; the staff at Allenwood; the staff at the UVM Medical Center and to many others whose names do not appear here.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Ta Kum Ta, PO Box 459, South Hero, VT 05486; and Vermont Respite House, Inc., c/o VNA of Chittenden, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at 11 AM at Saint John Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, VT 05403. The burial will follow immediately after at Resurrection Park, 200 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, VT 05403. A reception by the family will follow at The Church of Latter-Day Saints, 400 Swift Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.