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William Vachon Obituary
Bill, the son of Paul and Virginia (Boucher) Vachon, was born Oct. 15, 1918, in Anson. He attended Madison schools, but quit school at a young age to work in the Great Northern paper mill. In May 1942, Bill was drafted into the Army. He participated in the invasion of Normandy and was honorably discharged in September 1945. He returned to the Great Northern paper mill where he became an electrician and successfully earned his General Educational Development diploma. On Dec. 15, 1945, he married Juanita McGowan, and they raised two sons.
He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus as well as an active communicant of St. Sebastian Church, where he served as a lector until his health deteriorated. His church, family, friends and dogs (especially Sydney and Taylor) were of special importance in his life. His activities involved working with wood in his shop, daily walks, going for rides and enjoying meals with his lifelong friends.
Bill was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Juanita (McGowan) Vachon; and his siblings, Paul, Lorraine, Yvonne, Jeannette, Wilfred and Alfred.
He is survived by his sons, Monty, and his wife, Annette, of Franklin, Vt., and Steve and his wife, Mary, of Skowhegan. Grampy will be sadly missed by his six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Juliette Anderson, of Anson; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was a quiet, kind and gentle soul who lived the typical American life of yesterday. He answered the call of his country, worked hard to make an honest living, raised his sons by example and loved God.
The family extends a special thanks to the staff at Cedar Ridge Center for their kindness and loving care for the last two years and to Beacon Hospice for the past few weeks.
Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Giberson Funeral Home, 40 Maple St., in Madison. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, May 20, at Christ The King, St. Sebastian Church on Main Street in Madison, with Father John Mazzei officiating. Interment will occur in St. Sebastian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish make a memorial donation to Somerset Humane Society, P.O. Box 453, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Vachon
RACHEL PRICE-MCCOLLOR
May 20, 2011
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH MR. VACHON'S FAMILY. HE WAS SUCH A NICE MAN AND PART OF MY CHILDHOOD
Clara Burrill
May 19, 2011
Dear Steve, Mary and family,
Our sincere condolences and sympathy on the loss of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Clara & Kurt Burrill
Lois Crocker
May 18, 2011
To William's Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Bill passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May 18, 2011
Steve, Mary and family. Our deepest sympathy...Ruthy and John(Homosassa, FL)
Linda Breingan
May 18, 2011
Mary & Steve
So sorry for your loss...........
Thinking of you at this very sad time.Last time I saw him was at Cedar Ridge having dinner while visiting his roomie, Ted Stewart a dear friend of the family.
Brenda LaPointe
May 18, 2011
Steve, Mary and family... My sincere condolences and sympathy on the loss of your Dad. I recall how kind, sweet both your parents were when I met them. Have comfort in knowing that they are once again together and in a much better place. My heartfelt sympathies are with you at this time.
May 18, 2011
Dear Steve and Monty and the entire Vachon family,
I will always remember your Dad and his walk with his lunch to the mill. I always wondered between our two Dads, how many miles they walked on the streets of Madison on their way to work. Your Father was always kind to me, and even in the later years remembered me when I'd come home to visit. Your Mom was like that too. They were great people. Hope to see you Steve at class of 68 reunion. Best to the entire family.
Dick Darveau
Sue Edwards
May 18, 2011
I think about Bill and Juanita every now and again. They were wonderful neighbors to my grandparents. They are missed.
May 18, 2011
John and I would like to express our sympathies on Bill's passing.
He and Jaunita were so kind and welcoming to us in the years (1996-2004) we lived part-time across the street.
They were good friends to my mother and father also.
His obituary was beautifully written. He was indeed "a quiet, kind and gentle soul who lived the typical American life of yesterday."
John and Sybil Edwards Leland
South Sutton, NH
May 18, 2011
So sorry to hear about your dad. He will be mjssed by those who knew him
JoJo Godin
May 18, 2011
My deepest sympathy and love to the family of Bill Vachon. We all know he is at peace now , smiling that sweet smile, and patiently waiting to be reunited with us all.
Sharon Godin
May 18, 2011
I'm so sorry for you loss Steve & Mary
my deepest condolences''
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