ALDEE J. PLOUFFE

ALDEE J. PLOUFFE - BRIDPORT - Aldee J. Plouffe, 78, of Bridport, passed away peacefully in the arms of his savior Friday morning, Aug. 5, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was a devout Catholic and lived by God's word. He was born on June 29, 1933, in Dunham, Quebec, the son of Agenor and Leonne (St. Onge) Plouffe. Aldee moved to Bridport in 1949 with his family when he was 16 years old and lived and worked on the family farm on Lake Street. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and a second time in 1963. He went to work for IBM in Burlington and was one of the first 12 employees. Aldee married the love of his life, Shirley (Desforges), on June 6, 1959. He then purchased the family farm in 1961 and farmed for an additional 28 years. Aldee co-owned Plouffe and Plouffe, Inc., and was the President of NFO (National Farmers Org). Aldee was a very involved member of the community. He served on the Bridport Fire Department and the Bridport Central School Board for many years. After he sold his farm, he enjoyed helping his children with countless projects. Aldee started driving the school bus in 1995 and drove for 15 years until he was told he couldn't drive any longer. Whenever talking about his "kids" he would have a big smile on his face. Each and every child was like another grandchild to him. He loved them all and the day he was told that he had to stop driving the bus was heartbreaking for him. Aldee had a zest for life, music and dancing. He also had a passion for the great outdoors and all of its wonders. He shared a love of gardening with his wife and together they had beautiful gardens. He had a mind for mechanical challenges, which made him a great resource to his family and friends. He loved being helpful in any way he could and staying busy. Aldee was a loving husband and amazing father and grandfather. His happiest moments were spent being with family and friends, laughing and joking together, and being with his little dog, Bear. He was always laughing and had many stories, little "one liners," and inside jokes that he always shared. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; six children, David Norton and wife, Rose, of Pittsford, Deb Hayes and husband, David, of Essex, Allen Plouffe and fiancée, Linda Fleming, of Shoreham, Maurice Plouffe and wife, Penny (Austin), of Weybridge, Gerry Plouffe and partner, Shannon Burrell, of Addison, Leann Mathieu and husband, Serge, of Mt. Pleasant, N.C.; 20 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Jean Noel Plouffe and wife, Mary; two sisters, Monique Boudreau and husband, Edward, and Aliette Browe and husband, Ken; and many nieces and nephews. His parents predeceased him. The family would like to thank all the family and friends that provided many wonderful stories about our father, food, snow plowing, lawn mowing, and support. Thank you to the Bridport First Response and to Tim and Ann, with Home Health Hospice and a special thanks to Jess, for all of their wonderful help and support. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church. The Rev. William R. Beaudin as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Bridport Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saint Mary's School, 86 Shannon St., Middlebury, VT 05753, or to the American Cancer Society, VT Division, 45 Swift St., South Burlington, VT 05403. Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. www.sandersonfuneralservice.com