Andre Joseph Martel

Andre Joseph Martel, 82, of Williston, Vermont, passed away from lung cancer in the Williston farmhouse where he was born, surrounded by family.

Andre was born on September 29, 1943, the youngest of five children of Ernest and Marguerite (Jutras) Martel. He lived a life rooted in hard work, creativity, and deep love for his family.

Andre loved farming, fishing, and working with metal and wood. He was a creative soul and a natural inventor, best known for developing and patenting with his brother Jerome the Wing Cleaner, a tool designed to help clean out barns. He took pride in building, fixing, and improving whatever was in front of him, always with a practical mind and skilled hands.

Andre ran a dairy farm on Mountain View Road in Williston for over 30 years. In his younger years, the farm was both a chicken and dairy operation. After the original barns burned, a new barn was designed by the University of Vermont specifically for dairy farming. Andre took great pride in his farm, which became one of the last working farms in Williston, representing a way of life he deeply valued.

In his younger years, Andre enjoyed snowmobiling with the Williston Trail Blazers. After retirement, Andre and Pat joined the camping group Roadrunners, traveling across the United States with their fifth-wheel camper. They also enjoyed cruising to the Caribbean, and one of their favorite trips was a train ride to Alaska followed by a cruise back to Washington.

Andre is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia (Cota) Martel; his children, John Martel (wife Patty), David Martel (partner Ylan Roy), and Sandra Martel Barber (husband Travis); and his grandchildren, Danielle Kutches, Michelle Sterling, Rob Martel, Christine Martel (Poulos), Ryan Martel, Scott Martel, Joseph Barber, and Christopher Barber, as well as seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Irene (Rosaire) Longe, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Andre was predeceased by his father, Ernest Martel; his mother, Marguerite (Jutras) Martel; his brother, Jerome Martel; and his sister, Rita Martel.

To honor Andre, a viewing will be held at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St. in Winooski on Thursday, February 19, from 5:00–7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Williston on Friday, February 20, at 11:00 AM. Andre will be laid to rest at Colchester Village Cemetery in the spring or summer.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the hospice team who supported Andre's home hospice care, and to the family members who helped grant his wish of passing peacefully in the home where his life began.