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RHOBY HIRAM CONANT - BURLINGTON - Rhoby Hiram Conant, 96, died early Thursday morning, Dec. 26, 2013, in the Burlington Health and Rehab Center. Rhoby, together with his twin sister, Rheuby, was born in Burlington on Nov. 9, 1917, the son of Samuel B. and Nina A. (Thurber) Conant. He graduated from Burlington High School and received his college degree in Accounting from Champlain Business College. Mr. Conant proudly served during WWII with the U.S. Army in the Philippines. He worked for Rutland Railroad from 1948 to 1968. After the railroad ceased operations in 1961, he helped with the disposition of the railroad's assets; he was the railroad's last treasurer. Mr. Conant later worked for the F. W. Whitcomb Co. in North Walpole, N.H., for 13 years, retiring in 1982. Rhoby met the love of his life, Cecile Jeanette Berard, while they were both working at the Soldiers' Home in Bennington. They were married in Bennington on Aug. 4, 1942. By that time, Rhoby had enlisted in the Army and was with a Vermont unit stationed in Georgia. He received permission from his commanding officer to return to Vermont to get married because it appeared that his unit would spend the war stateside. As luck would have it, less than a month after their marriage, Rhoby's unit was sent to the Philippines where he spent the next three years before returning home to Vermont. Rhoby and Cele enjoyed 50 years of marriage and had two sons, Jay (Rhoby Joseph) and Glenn James. In his free time, Rhoby enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, and trout fishing. When they retired, Rhoby and Cele moved to Vero Beach, Fla., but summers were spent either in Vermont or traveling the country. They especially liked visiting Montana, where his son, Jay and his family lived at the time. Rhoby enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters, visiting Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, and fly fishing Montana's rivers. Rhoby is survived by his sons, Jay Conant and his wife, Patricia, of Milford, N.H., and Glenn Conant and his wife, Elly, of Milton; by his granddaughters, Stephanie Conant, and Jennifer Rowe and her husband, Christopher; by his greatgranddaughters, Gretta and Harper Rowe; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his five brothers and sisters; and by his wife, Cele, in 1993. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at 10 a.m. in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center. Online condolences may be made to www.minorfh.com. Memorials in Rhoby's name may be made to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, P.O. Box 459, South Hero, VT 05486.
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2 Entries
Glenn,
I am so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
M. Mead
January 14, 2014
Jay & Glenn and Families,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom and dad were great friends of my parents,Lee & Betty Benger, over many years starting with the square dance events! That was a wonderful group of people and I have many fond memories of your parents with mine. Thinking of you at this sad time, with deepest sympathy.
Donna Benger Haynes
January 11, 2014
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