Wilbur Eugene Hurtubise

1922 - 2016

Wilbur Eugene Hurtubise

Age: 93 • South Burlington

Wilbur Eugene Hurtubise, 93, a longtime resident of South Burlington, peacefully passed away at Burlington Health and Rehab with family by his side on May 14, 2016.

Wilbur was born in East Berkshire, VT on August 9, 1922, the third child of August and Jesse (Donlon) Hurtubise. Months later, the family moved to 'the big farm' in Richford. He graduated from Richford High School in 1941 and then moved to Hartford, CT to work at Colt's Manufacturing Company for a year. Wilbur joined the U.S. Navy and was trained as an aviation mechanic. He transferred to Honolulu, HI and onto Guam during WWII. After returning to the U.S. in 1946, he attended SUNY at Troy on the G.I. Bill to study electrical engineering. In 1953, he started a long career with Link Aviation working on simulators used for training by the U.S. Air Force. Wilbur married Theda Elaine Orr at the original Saint Paul's Cathedral in Burlington on June 2, 1956. They had four children between 1960 and 1964 and bought their home in South Burlington in 1965.

Wilbur loved to fish, hunt, play softball, play handball and run in his later years. He especially loved his vegetable gardens and maintaining his cars. In 1985, Wilbur retired. Over the next few years, he bought and built with pride and joy his red 1962 Austin Healey kit car. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 25 years and was an active Elks Club Member for decades, helping with Bingo Nights in his retirement years.

He also subcontracted himself out as an electrician and worked at the Essex Jct. H.S. Junior Air Force ROTC Program maintaining the same simulators he worked on during his career.

Wilbur is survived by his wife, Theda, of almost 60 years: their four children, Craig, and his partner, Peter, of Moretown, Leisha Schutt and her husband, Karsten, of Midlothian, VA, Brenda Aguas and her husband, Michael, of Florida, NY, Cheryl Bey and her husband, Richard, of Yadkinville, NC: eight grandchildren; three siblings, Lyle and his wife, Dora, of Richford, Gene of Oneonta, NY, Joan Carrigan and her husband, Don, of Barre.

He was predeceased by his brother, Donlon, and his sister, Jeannette.

There will be a Celebration of Wilbur's Life on May 28, 2016 from 12 to 3 pm at the Saint John Vianney Parish Hall in South Burlington. In honor of Wilbur's long term commitment to Meals on Wheels, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Champlain Valley Agency on Aging (CVAA), 76 Pearl Street, Suite 201, Essex Jct., VT 05452.

The family would especially like to thank all the LNA's, Therapists, Nurses and other staff at Burlington Health and Rehab for their care and support of Wilbur.

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