Philip B. Gonyaw

Westfield, Vermont-


Philip B. Gonyaw, 68, a resident for more than 30 years of Westfield, Vermont died early Saturday morning, Feb. 8, at the Bel-Aire Nursing Home in Newport, Vermont. His wife, Alice, was at his bedside.
Philip was born in Newport, Vermont on August 18, 1945, the son of Maynard and Erdine Gonyaw. He attended school in Albany and graduated from Orleans High School in 1963.
He was married to Alice (St. Jacques) Vezina on July 6, 1974 in Albany. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary later this year.
Philip worked at the Ethan Allen plant in Orleans, Vermont early in his career, farmed for a number of years in Westfield, worked at Jay Peak, was a salesman for Vermont Country Campers and later for DelaBruere Auto, and owned/operated North Hill Self Storage with his wife.
Philip was a proud Army veteran having served in Vietnam and was a long time member of the Vermont National Guard, retiring with the rank of first sergeant in 2005. Philip always made a special effort to reach out to returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan to thank them for their service and to let them know how appreciated they were.
Philip unselfishly gave of his time and talents to many local groups. He was a charter member of the Troy Area Lions Club and served as President of that organization three times. As part of the Lion?s outreach, he volunteered each Thursday to help prepare and serve meals at the senior meal site in Westfield. He also helped run weekly Lion's bingo events with proceeds of these activities being used to financially support eye programs for youngsters, programs to test and assist hearing impaired individuals, and scholarships for college bound students.
He was a 30 year life member of Post 28 of the American Legion and served as its treasurer at one time. He was a member of American Legion Riders, a group that enjoyed motorcycling together.
Philip was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7943 and was a fourth degree Knight and served as trustee. Philip was a long time and highly faithful member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish of Troy, Vermont and served on the Church?s finance committee.
He was also serving as co-chair of the Town of Westfield?s Emergency Management Committee.
Philip enjoyed traveling, camping, motorcycling, the annual trek to the Fryeburg Fair, and good natured bantering--- activities all to be done with his many friends. He also enjoyed his daily walks with his faithful dog, Zelda.
Apart from his humor, his smile and warm demeanor, Philip will most likely remembered for being an extremely kind, caring, and compassionate person who would do whatever he could to help a friend or a family in need. He took time to listen and give counsel and guidance to those who might seek his advice.
Philip is survived his wife, Alice, and by his step children, Marie Breault of Glens Fall, New York, John Vezina of Belleview, Florida, Debbie Vezina of Irasburg, and Douglas, Vezina of Newport. In addition, he is survived by 14 step grand children and 11 step great grand children.
Other survivors include his sister, Phyllis Bottamini and her husband, Bruce, of Adamant, Vermont, his brother, Ronald, and his wife, Edith, of West Charleston, Vermont, his sister-in-law, Rose Blais of North Troy, special friends, Roland ( Butch) and Jessie Barney of Island Pond and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents predeceased him.

Calling hours will be 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. on Sunday February 16, 2014 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford
Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, in Newport, Vermont.
Funeral services will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Troy, Vermont on Monday Feb.17, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated.
Internment will be in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell, Vermont.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Philip may be made to the Troy Area Lion?s Club, Box 175, Westfield, Vermont 05874 or to
Sacred Heart Church, for the Stained Glass Restoration Fund P.O.Box 109, Troy, Vt.05868. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.

Philip perhaps can be best remembered by the following verse.

?Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain;
I am the gentle Autumn?s rain.
When you awaken in the morning?s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye