John Edward Brisson

John E. Brisson, 86, of Burlington, VT died on Monday, April 14, 2025 at UVM Medical Center.
He was born on April 8th, 1939 in Burlington, the son of Edward (Teddy) and Anna (Cavoretto) Brisson. He was a graduate of Burlington High School, Class of 1957. He married the love of his life, Nancy Anne Rivers, on July 13, 1963 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski, VT. John and Nancy settled in Burlington where they raised 3 children, Jonathan, Timothy, and Wendy.
John served in the Army and after an honorable discharge went to work for IBM in 1965 enjoying a long and productive career, retiring in 2002. He made many lifelong friends there, especially Peter Hazelton.
John was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, golfing and especially fishing. In his early years he loved tying his own flies and fishing for steelhead trout on the streams in Michigan. In 1984 John and Nancy bought a 24 ft Grady White and christened it The Seahorse, thus beginning decades of adventure and fun on the "high seas" of Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. John became a Charter Boat Captain, and was a President of the Lake Champlain Charter Fishing Association. Nancy, being the ultimate hostess, was the best First Mate John could have ever had. Captain John would admit with a smirk, "she always caught the biggest fish!" They loved spending time together and the Seahorse was their oasis and second home. They enjoyed so many great times with their friends Paul and Nancy Boileau, Paul and Helen Pinan, John and Carol Lacroix and many others. Everyone was welcome wherever John and Nancy were and treated like family. John would help anyone in need at any time. John also loved his time at deer camp in Vermont, Ontario and Maine with his lifelong hunting partner and cousin, Robert Cavoretto. He also enjoyed Spring bear hunting and brook trout fishing in Quebec with his sons and grandsons.
John spent many years supporting youth activities. He and Nancy volunteered for the Special Olympics helping to teach children how to fish. John was Scout Master of Troop 603 in Burlington for many years. John had a passion for football and excelled at Burlington High School. He played in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl and had a tryout for the Hartford Charter Oaks of the Atlantic Coast Football League. His love for the game carried over into a long youth coaching career. Starting with the South End Jets in the 1970's, he then came out of retirement to help Tim coach the Milton Broncos. He went on to coach 3 of his 5 grandsons over the next 20 years earning the nickname "The Tuna" after one of his favorite coaches - Bill Parcells. His straightforward and strict nature resonated with his many players and they loved "Tuna Time" at the beginning of each practice, where life's lessons and sage advice were discussed in equal measure with skills and the importance of teamwork.
John and Nancy also enjoyed the excitement of travel, visiting Wendy, Rich and grandsons overseas and across the USA at their various military assignments. John loved talking history with Jonathan, watching westerns, an occasional scotch, and many other topics long after Nancy had gone to bed. Robin and Tim provided some of John's favorite occasions, including holidays, family backyard bbq's, pool parties, horseshoes, and beer.
John is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of 61 years. He also leaves behind sons, Jonathan, Timothy (Robin), and daughter Wendy (Rich). He leaves five grandsons, Ryan Woods (Karen), Connor Brisson and his partner Fatima, Andrew Derby, Kiernan Brisson, and Riley Derby (Katherine); two great-grandchildren, Nathaniel and Abigail. He also leaves his dear sister Carol Robinson (Jay); his sister-in-law Geraldine Messick, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to list. He was predeceased by his parents, Ted and Anna; in-laws Gisele and Gerald Rivers, Gilles Deslauriers, and his brother-in-law Sidney Messick. He was also predeceased by his beloved dog Bella Boo.
The family would like to thank the entire Staff of Home Care Assistance of Greater Burlington especially Tammy and caregivers Mis'Shayla, Carlos, and Sharen. His team of medical professionals Dr. Elizabeth Wahlberg, Dr. Terence Naumann, Janet Deslauriers, Respiratory Therapist, Tom and Andrew his Physical Therapists, and all of his UVM Home Health nurses, especially Sue.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to St. Francis Xavier Parish, your local Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
Visiting hours will be from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday, April 23 at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St. in Winooski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church, 3 St. Peter Street, Winooski, on Thursday, April 24 at 11:00am followed by a luncheon at the American Legion, 3650 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT. Burial will follow at a later date. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John, please visit our floral store.