NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Louis J. "Scotty" Gomez, 81, of Barre, Vt., passed away on Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at the Holyoke Soldiers Home in Holyoke, Mass., after battling Alzheimer's disease.
Scotty was born in Barre on April 3, 1927, the son of the late Julian and Josefa (Abascal) Gomez. He was raised and educated in Vermont, graduating from Northfield High School in 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the final months of World War II. He returned home and attended Norwich University where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the varsity hockey team. He received his bachelor's degree in economics in 1950. After graduation, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant until his honorable discharge in 1952. He returned home and married Catherine "Kay" Anton on Nov. 28, 1953, and they celebrated 54 years of marriage together.
Scotty enjoyed three different challenging and diverse careers in his lifetime. Initially he worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. as an agent and manager of the Barre office for 25 years. From 1975 until 1983, Scotty and his wife owned and operated two clothing stores in Montpelier, Vt.; "The Children's Store" and "The Vogue Shoppe." He retired in 1991 after working as a loan officer for the Northfield Savings Bank in Barre. Scotty and Kay spent their winters during retirement years in Venice, Fla.
Scotty was a devoted husband and loving father. He and Kay have many wonderful lifelong friends in the Barre area. Scotty was a member at the Country Club of Barre for 50 years and a lifelong member of the Barre Elks Club.
Scotty is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kay Gomez; his daughters, Cathy Cross and her husband Joseph of Northampton, Mass., Cynthia Padovani and her husband Alberto of Denver, Colo., Susan Mackenzie and her husband Barry of Springfield, Vt., and his son, Thomas Gomez of Keene, N.H. He had two grandchildren, Andrew Padovani and Elizabeth Mackenzie. He also leaves a sister, Rose Anderson, and several nieces and nephews.
Scotty was predeceased by his brother, Julian Gomez.
Calling hours will be at the Pruneau Polli Funeral Home Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., followed by burial at Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Scotty's memory may be made to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641, or to the Alzheimer's Association of Vermont.
Arrangements are in the care of the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St., Barre.
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