David G. Brochu Sr.

EAST HARDWICK - David G. Brochu Sr., 72, of East Hardwick, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington after a brief illness.

David was born on May 24, 1939, in Hardwick, Vt. He was the son of Gaudias and Eva Brochu. He attended school in Greensboro, and graduated in 1957.

David married Georgette Menard on May 28, 1960. They made their home in East Hardwick, where they raised five children and farmed for many years. He also worked as an employee for the Town of Greensboro, and drove truck for McFeeter's Store and Mike Dresser.

David was a charter member of the Hardwick Rescue Squad, where he volunteered for 40 years. He also served as a Select Board member for the Town of Hardwick, as well as being Fire Warden.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sharing his knowledge of area history.

One of David's greatest achievements was his involvement in the Greensboro Fire Department, which he joined in 1956. He became chief in 1981, a position he held until the time of his death.

In 1998, David received the Greensboro Award. In 2007, he received the Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding community service, and in 2010 the Greensboro Fire Department presented him with a Lifetime Firefighter award in recognition of his dedicated service to the community and fellow firefighters.

David took great pride and joy in his family. He is survived by his wife Georgette and his five children: David Jr. and his wife Wendy, Carrie and her husband Doug Casavant, Rita and her husband Brian Foss, Art and his wife Carol, and Ellen and her husband Phil Demers. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren: Samantha and Anthony Brochu, Andrew and Eric Casavant, Katie and Alicia Foss, Steven Brochu and fiancée Cara Gauch, Sabrina and her husband Bryan Gayle, Sarah Brochu, Amanda and her husband Colby Nash, Abigail Demers; and two great-granddaughters, Jayla Gayle and Nevaeh Nash.

David also leaves brothers Donald Coburn and wife Linda, Gerald Blake and wife Dale, and sisters Carolyn Deyo and husband Robert, and Barbara Smith. He also leaves several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Church in Greensboro Bend.

Family and friends may call at the des Groseilliers Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.

A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be in David's memory to the Greensboro Fire Department at P.O. Box 83, Greensboro, VT 05841.

Arrangements are in care of the des Groseilliers Funeral Home, 97 Church Street, Hardwick.