John Bissonnette

John Bissonnette

Age: 74 • Georgia

John Bissonnette,74, of Georgia, VT, passed away March 21, 2017, at Orange Park Medical Center, Orange Park, Florida. He was the son of Mildred Lemieux and Armand ("Red")Bissonnette of Burlington and Winooski. John graduated from Rice High School in 1961. He joined the Army National Guard and later the Air Force National Guard.

John began his working life at age 11 at Michaud's Market in Burlington where he eventually became a journeyman meat cutter. He also worked at Gracie's Store on Williston Road. Later, he saw much of the U.S. as a driver for Gero Bros. Mayflower Movers. In turn he became their warehouseman, dispatcher and a salesman. In the late 1980's he and a brother-in-law developed Exterior Restorations, a roofing and siding business. He also worked as a part-time rural carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, eventually becoming a full-time carrier. He rounded out his life-long habit of working 3 jobs simultaneously by delivering the Sunday New York Times in Shelburne. He left his most recent job with Priority Express because of illness.

John loved cars and motorcycles and owned many. ("Ah, the sweet sound of a motorcycle on a sunny Spring day..."). He rode with the Vermont Super Hogs for several years. He loved to read, to sell things and baseball. But most of all, John loved people and he loved to laugh. He easily put people (and animals)at ease with his friendliness, generosity, humor and warmth.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ann (Somerhalder); daughter Debbie Cooke and husband Richard of Carson City, Nevada; son David Bissonnette and his wife Rebecca and one year old grandson William of S. Burlington; stepson Peter Simonds and his wife Stephanie and grandchildren Jenna and Jeremy Simonds of East Palatka, Florida; granddaughter Corrine Wilkinson of Hawaii and three beautiful great granddaughters; stepdaughter Amy Simonds-Taylor and her husband Tom of Flagstaff, Arizona; his sister Terri Burbo of Burlington, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by first wife and mother of his children, Linda (Benway)Douglas and his sister Barbara Poulin.

A celebration of John's life is planned for June 10 at the Milton Eagles Club, 42 Center Dr. in Milton at 1:00 pm. Anyone who shared John's friendship, generosity, love and /or good humor from any of the many walks of his life is invited to join in this indoor picnic where we'll share anecdotes, stories, jokes and memories in remembrance of this special man.

Gifts in John's name may be directed to the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadow, St. Albans, VT 05478, or to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, S. Burlington.

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