Obituary for Gregory Mitchell
Gregory S. Mitchell of Burlington, VT passed away Friday March 26th , 2021 at UVM Medical Center, surrounded with family after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Greg was born July 29th, 1947 to Willard M. and Doris Dattilio Mitchell. Greg was one of the early baby boomers lucky enough to enjoy the wilderness of the developing New North End. He would hunt and trap along the railroad tracks, fish Apple Tree and Rock Points, he also played in the wooded areas before encroaching development took place. His passion for hunting and fishing continued throughout his life. Hunting camp, particularly archery season, provided his greatest pleasures, where friendly banter, pranks, and great food
unified his closest friends and family with nature and comradery. He found solace in nature’s beauty. Interestingly, he used those memories to soothe and stabilize many difficult days of his disease.
Greg graduated from Rice High School in 1965. Always a prepared athlete; he would start football training in the spring and practice all summer to be ready in the fall. Often, he could be found practicing his golf swing and long drives in the big fields close to his home. As a teen he even built his own Putting Green by wheel barrowing his favorite dirt from the same fields to his backyard 300 yards away. Pick up basketball games with foul language were common among Greg and his friends. He also regularly played flag football for years before an
injury unfortunately halted his game. But always the athlete, he then competed out of Iron Works gym for many years as a successful power lifter earning several trophies. Greg was an avid Red Sox and Bruins fan, regardless of their standings.
Greg was a member of the Tau Kappa Beta fraternity while at Paul Smiths College, and graduated in 1969. Greg was also dedicated to the Service at this time and would return home once a month for Vermont Air National Guard training. Greg retired from the guard after 33 years of service on his 60th Birthday.
His professional career began at CIT Finance, but he switched paths and started at Cedric Electric, then partnered to form M&B Electric. Greg was then employed at Hazelett Strip-Casting and finished his career at Pizzagalli Construction as an electrical estimator.
Greg married the love of his life, Donna McCluskey in August 1970. Greg and Donna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August of 2020. Their children organized a covid compliant celebration of their marriage in the family’s backyard. Donna provided dedicated caregiving, love and support that allowed him to be at home throughout his disease.
Greg loved his family dearly and was always there for his children and grandchildren. He excitedly attended each one of their dance recitals, hockey games, swim meets, soccer and baseball games. He was streamside to see
them catch their first rainbow trout and gifted them all with lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. He especially enjoyed family backyard BBQ’s and holiday gatherings and traditions while taking pleasure in seeing the enjoyment in others. Greg also cherished his nieces and nephews and loved to hold any newborn who got welcomed into the family by those bulky muscled arms.
Donna & family would like to extend their gratitude the UVM Medical Center McClure 5 - Nurse Kristy, Dr. Zerebiec and the entire nursing staff.
Greg is survived by his wife Donna Mitchell of Burlington, his three children; Derek Mitchell and his wife Jenn of
Milton, Vikki Peters and her husband Sean of Isle LaMotte, Kelly Bushey and her husband Ken of Vershire; Five
grandchildren, Brandon and Dylan Mitchell of Milton, Cayden and Adriana of Isle LaMotte, and Trey Bushey of Vershire; Sister Pam Slattery and her husband Jim of Essex, brother Brad Mitchell and his wife Terri of Colchester, Brother-in-law Brian McCluskey and his wife Marge of Burlington; Uncle Vince Dattilio and wife Betty of South Burlington, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and his special hunting buddies.
There will be a viewing held at LaVigne Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 30th, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Mark's Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 31st at 11:00 AM.
Greg was born July 29th, 1947 to Willard M. and Doris Dattilio Mitchell. Greg was one of the early baby boomers lucky enough to enjoy the wilderness of the developing New North End. He would hunt and trap along the railroad tracks, fish Apple Tree and Rock Points, he also played in the wooded areas before encroaching development took place. His passion for hunting and fishing continued throughout his life. Hunting camp, particularly archery season, provided his greatest pleasures, where friendly banter, pranks, and great food
unified his closest friends and family with nature and comradery. He found solace in nature’s beauty. Interestingly, he used those memories to soothe and stabilize many difficult days of his disease.
Greg graduated from Rice High School in 1965. Always a prepared athlete; he would start football training in the spring and practice all summer to be ready in the fall. Often, he could be found practicing his golf swing and long drives in the big fields close to his home. As a teen he even built his own Putting Green by wheel barrowing his favorite dirt from the same fields to his backyard 300 yards away. Pick up basketball games with foul language were common among Greg and his friends. He also regularly played flag football for years before an
injury unfortunately halted his game. But always the athlete, he then competed out of Iron Works gym for many years as a successful power lifter earning several trophies. Greg was an avid Red Sox and Bruins fan, regardless of their standings.
Greg was a member of the Tau Kappa Beta fraternity while at Paul Smiths College, and graduated in 1969. Greg was also dedicated to the Service at this time and would return home once a month for Vermont Air National Guard training. Greg retired from the guard after 33 years of service on his 60th Birthday.
His professional career began at CIT Finance, but he switched paths and started at Cedric Electric, then partnered to form M&B Electric. Greg was then employed at Hazelett Strip-Casting and finished his career at Pizzagalli Construction as an electrical estimator.
Greg married the love of his life, Donna McCluskey in August 1970. Greg and Donna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August of 2020. Their children organized a covid compliant celebration of their marriage in the family’s backyard. Donna provided dedicated caregiving, love and support that allowed him to be at home throughout his disease.
Greg loved his family dearly and was always there for his children and grandchildren. He excitedly attended each one of their dance recitals, hockey games, swim meets, soccer and baseball games. He was streamside to see
them catch their first rainbow trout and gifted them all with lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. He especially enjoyed family backyard BBQ’s and holiday gatherings and traditions while taking pleasure in seeing the enjoyment in others. Greg also cherished his nieces and nephews and loved to hold any newborn who got welcomed into the family by those bulky muscled arms.
Donna & family would like to extend their gratitude the UVM Medical Center McClure 5 - Nurse Kristy, Dr. Zerebiec and the entire nursing staff.
Greg is survived by his wife Donna Mitchell of Burlington, his three children; Derek Mitchell and his wife Jenn of
Milton, Vikki Peters and her husband Sean of Isle LaMotte, Kelly Bushey and her husband Ken of Vershire; Five
grandchildren, Brandon and Dylan Mitchell of Milton, Cayden and Adriana of Isle LaMotte, and Trey Bushey of Vershire; Sister Pam Slattery and her husband Jim of Essex, brother Brad Mitchell and his wife Terri of Colchester, Brother-in-law Brian McCluskey and his wife Marge of Burlington; Uncle Vince Dattilio and wife Betty of South Burlington, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and his special hunting buddies.
There will be a viewing held at LaVigne Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 30th, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Mark's Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 31st at 11:00 AM.