DWIGHT BESSETTE JR.

DWIGHT BESSETTE JR. - PANTON - Dwight Bessette Jr., 69, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Dwight was born on Sept. 19, 1943, to Dwight and Alice (O'Brien) Bessette Sr. in Long Island, N.Y. He and his parents moved to the farm on 22A in Panton around 1947. Dwight had many fond memories of working and growing up on the farm with his three brothers. Dwight graduated from Vergennes Union High School in Vergennes in 1961. On Sept. 10, 1966, Dwight married Susan Jane Washburn of Alburg Springs. After living on the family farm for six months, they bought their own farm just a stone's throw away on Hopkins Road. They had their four children and farmed there until 1973. At that time they moved the family to a home overlooking the lake in Panton. Dwight took a job working at Champlain Valley Equipment in Middlebury, after selling the farm. After several years there, Dwight took the knowledge he had gained and started his own business of selling and repairing farm equipment. He was all about helping as many farmers as he could. Dwight sometimes came off as a rough, grumpy man, but this was just a front. He cared about others, the events of the world, and especially this state, making sure to watch the 6 o'clock news. He taught his children and grandchildren hard work, honesty, integrity and devotion. We are very proud to have called him Husband, Dad, and Papa. Surviving Dwight is his wife of 46 years, Susan Bessette; four children, son, Anthony "Tony" Bessette and companion, Tina Lawrence, of Pearblossom, Calif.; daughter, Julia Miller and husband, Steve, of Vergennes; daughter, Nancy Bessette of Panton; and daughter, Sheri Smith and husband, Larry, of Vergennes; nine grandchild, Kayla, Ryan, Megan, Stephanie, Ashley, Melissa, Tracey, Shawn, and Sarah; three great-grandchildren, Zachary, Hayden, and Brianna; four brothers, Michael and wife, Arlene, of Burlington, Andrew and wife, Cheryl, of Richmond, and Ronald of Greenwich, N.Y.; two aunts, Blanche Dowd of Hinesburg, and Shirley Bean of Charlotte; also brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws; several nieces, nephews, cousins; many farmer friends; and family pet. Dwight was predeceased by his parents, Dwight Sr. in 1983, and Alice in 2007. We would like to give special thanks to Dr. Paul Unger. It was your devotion to Dwight that got him the best of care. We would have been lost without you. Also special thanks to Dr. Joe Winget for your expertise. You were both so patient with all of our questions. Dwight thought so much of you both saying, "Joe and Paul are the men." Thank you to the nursing staff on Baird 6 and McClure 5, the Palliative Care Unit and Internal Medicine all at FAHC. Special thanks to the Addison County Home Health & Hospice. A big thank you to sister-in-law, Cheryl Bessette, for helping Dwight be comfortable at home the last days of his life. Per Dwight's request, there will be no calling hours. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Vergennes. Burial will immediately follow at Prospect Cemetery in Vergennes, after which a celebration of Dwight's life will be held at St. Peter's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Addison County Home Health and Hospice in Middlebury.