WESLEY W. BLACK

1985 - 2021

BLACK, Wesley W. US Army Sgt. Wesley W. Black died on Nov. 7, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones at home. He was born to Norine and Dustin Black on July 7, 1985. After he graduated from Malden Catholic High School he enrolled in Norwich University and enlisted into the 3rd Battalion of the 172nd (Mountain) Regiment for the Vermont Army National Guard. Wesley was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in January 2005 for an extended tour and served his country as a rifleman and Humvee Turret Gunner. Upon returning home to Vermont, Wesley worked at the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, VT where he earned his basic and advanced military mountaineer qualifications, graduated sniper school and completed his basic non-commissioned officer course. He later served a 3rd tour of duty in Afghanistan and then returned to Vermont to serve in the Vermont National Guard and met his future wife, Laura Kilgannon. Wesley graduated with an A.A. in Liberal Arts in 2014, and in the Spring of 2016 he and his wife welcomed their beautiful boy Ronan into the world. In February of 2017, Wesley was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with metastasis to his liver after years of undiagnosed symptoms. With a newborn and a new career as a Firefighter/AEMT with the Hartford, VT Fire Department (Local 2905), Wes proceeded to do what no one else could fathom: He fought. He continued to work for the Fire Department on his off weeks of chemo. Wesley worked hard to get VT Senate Bill S111 passed. The Bill raises awareness to the long-term effects on our veterans like him that suffered as a result of exposure to the open-air burn pits that are being used by the United States Armed Forces overseas. Wesley volunteered as a guide for the Wounded Warriors in Action organization and was recognized with a Naval Unit Citation from the Marine Corps. He educated NATO allies in Macedonia and worked with Inuit guides in Baffin Bay, Canada on Arctic training. Wesley received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts and the Army Commendation with Valor among countless other accolades. Wesley is survived by his wife Laura and son Ronan, as well as his parents Dustin and Norine and brother Alex and sister-in-law Megan, along with their children. Calling Hours will be held at Knight Funeral Home in WHITE RIVER JUNCTION on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 1 pm - 3 pm and 5 pm - 7 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at the Hartford High School on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 12 pm. Interment will be private. Online condolences are appreciated at www.knightfuneralhomes.com and memorial contributions can be made to Our Heroes Fund.

View the online memorial for Wesley W. BLACK