Norman Edward Bonnette

Norman Edward Bonnette Swanton Norman Edward Bonnette, age 58, a resident of Swanton, passed away on Saturday June 26, 2010 in the comfort of his home with his family beside him after a brief illness. Norman was born in Barton Vermont on February 12, 1952, son of the late Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Arrowsmith) Bonnette. Norman had a love of food-whether he was cooking or eating. He always looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve when he would indulge in Tortiere. He loved to sing and dance. He was a devout Catholic and was studying to become an associate deacon. His passion was working with the American Red Cross Blood Drive where he was chairman of the blood drives for Holy Angels. In recent months he had the most productive blood drives of the last several years where the drive achieved more than 112% of the goals that had been made. He was so proud of these successes and was always looking for ways to help out the Red Cross. After graduating from high school in Granby, Quebec Norman always sought opportunities to seek further education. After managing McDonalds in Granby for 8 years he began his studies to become a master chef. In 1997 Norman decided to return to his birth country to be closer to his "Vermont family" and self appointed "Ma and Pa" as he lovingly called Maurice and Laurea Bonnette. He purchased a home in Swanton, Vt. where he sought different opportunities including getting an associate degree from Johnson State College, working for the US Border Patrol, U.S Corrections as a Chef, U.S. Corrections as a Guard. He spent the last several years being a maintanence technician for Holy Angels Church while he was also studying deaconate to become a deacon associate of Holy Angels Church. Norman was a proud 4th Degree Knight of Assembly #1149. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Albans Council #297 and the Knights of Columbus Granby Council #1093. He was a Eucharistic Minister and Lecturer at Holy Angels Parish. He was the Chairman of the Red Cross Blood Drives at Holy Angels Parish, and a member of the St. Jean Ambulance Coucil. Norman leaves his daughter, Marie-Claude Viens Bonnette of Granby, Quebec. A brother Fernand Bonnette and his wife Carole (Tardif) A nephew Jonathan Bonnette and a niece Veronique Bonnette all of Granby Quebec. He also leaves an Aunt Doris Bonnette-Brunelle of Granby, Quebec. Many cousins and friends throughout Quebec and Vermont, and a special friend Virginia "Gini" Young. Norman was predecesased by his mother Elizabeth, his sisters Jacqueline and Suzanne Bonnette and brothers Edouard, Elie and Denis Bonnette in a tragic fire on October 22, 1969 in St. Alphonse, Quebec. His father Ferdinand on 12/25/82. He was also predeceased by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Norman's family extends their "sincerest thanks" to NMC, Franklin County Hospice, Gini Young, Theresa Tilton, Hal Sullivan, Ron Tilley, for their care and help in making Norman comfortable for the last few days of his life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday July 6, 2010 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in St.Albans Vt at 11:00 A.M. with burial immediately following in the Mount Calvary Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the Holy Angels Parish Hall immediately following the burial. Visiting hours will be Monday July 5, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. and Tuesday July 6, 2010 from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. at Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., St. Albans Vt. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making donations in care of Maurce Bonnette 27 Country Club Estates Swanton, Vt to be used towards the families wishes. and/or to make a blood donation on Monday July 5 at Holy Angels Parish from noon to 5:30 in his name. An online condolence book and photo album has been established at the funeral home website: www.bnlfh.com. Arrangement are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.