Gary R. Densmore

Gary Densmore was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on August 8, 1946. Gary was the youngest of four children born to Lena and Earl Densmore.

When Gary was young, he apparently was a handful. His parents, having increased difficulty managing his behaviors, admitted young Gary to a private institution in New Hampshire in 1950. At the age of six, he was transferred to the Vermont State Hospital, where he resided for the next 30 years. It was reported during his final four years at the Vermont State Hospital, Gary resided in the Giant Step Program and began receiving instructions of self-care, pre-vocation skills, and social skills. In July of 1982, Gary received a conditional discharge from Vermont State Hospital as part of a court ordered de-institutionalization of the residents participating in the Giant Step Program. He moved to an intermediate care facility for adults in Burlington, Vermont with developmental disabilities (ICF/MR), where he resided for four years before moving to a residential home in 1986. Gary moved to several temporary staffed residences and programs until he settled into a residential program in the north end of Burlington with several other people in the early 2000's. Gary seemed to thrive in this home and continued to do well in this home for the next 25 years until his passing.

Gary was a very kind man who enjoyed jazz and opera music. Gary had purchased an Alexa device several years back and he seemed to enjoy using it in his room to listen to music. Also, in the last few years, Gary really enjoyed going out to the community to watch sporting events. Gary was able to successfully attend, with several other housemates and staff, several Lake Monsters games and a few UVM hockey and basketball games. He was best known for relaxing his armchair in the main living room, napping during the day, and having his combination of balls and toys in his lap. Sometimes, Gary liked to throw these balls back-and-forth to staff while he was sitting in his armchair.

Most importantly, Gary loved to eat! He was a great eater, even with his medical complications he continued to feed himself up until the day that he left his group home. Gary loved to go to McDonalds to order cheeseburgers and a Coca-Cola drink, which he would bring back to the house to eat. He would use voice to let the staff know he wanted to go out, saying "coke!", which had been a mainstay of getting out of the house in the last few years. Gary would be quite upset if he wasn't able to get his coke beverage.

Gary had been supported for the last several months at the McClure Respite House in Colchester, VT. I was told by the nursing staff that they fell in love with Gary while he was there and stole their hearts. Gary continued to have a full personality every day he was at the Respite House. Gary will be remembered as being the nicest guy, almost always in a good mood. Gary was very fortunate to have such great care over the years and was especially lucky to experience such longevity with the stability at the group home that he lived at since the early 2000's. Gary had been supported by some of the same staff for the last 10-15 years! Gary will be missed by his staff and those who knew him in the community.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, March 23, from 2pm-4pm at LaVigne Funeral & Cremation Service, 132 Main St. in Winooski.