John Edward Rouille

John "Jack" Edward Rouille, our father, peacefully left this earth on May 28, 2024, with his family at his side. Born in Burlington, Vermont on February 7, 1932, the son of the late John Oliver and Beatrice Evelyn (Barber) Rouille. Jack lived a full and good life as a hardworking, down to earth, caring and loving individual who always put his family first.
He was able to stay in the home that he shared with his daughter, Melinda, up until his death. This was possible due to Melinda's commitment to care for him and the help from other caregivers and family members, Home Instead, and Home Health and Hospice caregivers and his final last two days at the McClure Miller Respite house.
Jack had an extensive work record with which he had an incredible work ethic, always giving 100% and then some to all the tasks and challenges presented to him. He worked for General Electric, Tuletex, the Bader Company and the Burlington Police Department, all a part of his working life until one day Patrick Leahy, then Chittenden County States Attorney, plucked Jack from the Burlington Police Department to work as a consumer fraud investigator, working with Leahy on a number of robbery and murder cases during the time that Leahy's office was cited as one of the three most successful prosecuting jurisdictions in the US. When Leahy was elected to Senate in 1974, Jack was one of the first staffers hired by the senator, where he gained extensive experience working with veterans and military matters, including a wide range of Federal Government activities for over 20 years. In 1994, Senator Patrick Leahy recommended Jack to the President of the United States to be nominated as the United States Marshal for the District of Vermont where he served with dedication, fairness, and integrity until his retirement in 1999. After his retirement, Jack volunteered over the years at various places close to his heart, including St. Anthony Christ the King parish, the Vet Center greeting Veterans and their families, and helping good friend Dan Bean with toys for tots and other activities.
Jack grew up on Oak Street in the Old North End of Burlington right off of North Bend Street. The stories he had to share about his childhood experiences were fascinating to all. The tales of his excursions down into the interval to visit Devils Den off from "old dump road" when the marshes had frozen over in the dead of winter, his many hours spent on Cat's Island, his childhood job at the Daily News and all the activities at Roosevelt park were always exciting to hear.
Jack attended Burlington High School but interrupted his schooling to serve his country in the USMC during the Korean Conflict. After being discharged from the service, Jack returned home and completed high school. It was soon after that he met his bride-to-be, Joyce LaVallee on a blind date, and so their journey through life together began. Jack and Joyce were married on August 1, 1953 in St. Joseph's Church. They raised their family of five children in the South End of Burlington on Lyman Avenue. Jack was an active member of St. Anthony's parish back in his early years participating the church summer fairs, dime-a-dip suppers, Christmas bazaars and many other church activities. In his later years he assisted in other church functions as an altar server and of course always arranging the setup of the manger scene out in front of the church most every holiday season. Jack frequently traveled to visit with his family in Mexico, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. His most frequent travels were to one of his former duty stations at USMC Camp Lejeune, NC to visit his daughter Melinda and family as he reflected on his service to country.
Jack is survived by his children and their spouses, Mary Patricia and Fernando Sanchez of Mexico, Kathleen and Richard Carter of Leland, NC, Gregory and Joy Rouille of Leland, NC, Melinda Rouille of Burlington, VT, Jay and Sharon Rouille of Conway, SC. Also, his brother, Leo "Bud" Rouille and his wife Patty, his brother Mike Rouille and wife Janice, his sister Pat Rouille, his sister-in-law, Mary LaVallee, and 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, John & Beatrice Rouille, his wife, Joyce, his sister, Nancy Baker and his brother-in-law, John LaVallee. Also, he leaves a good friend, Maria Aronhime, who shared many good conversations, meals and companionship with him.
Again a special thanks to Melinda and the many family members and other caregivers that helped to allow our dad to live his final days at home.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Saint Anthony's Parish on Flynn Avenue at 1 p.m. Visiting hours are private to Jack's immediate family. Interment will be in New Mount Calvary Cemetery on Plattsburgh Avenue in Burlington.