Obituary for Jean Arthur Lavigne
Arthur was born in Burlington to Napoleon and Luciena (Olivier) Lavigne on October 10, 1923. His parents purchased a dairy farm on Lavigne Road in Colchester in 1928, and he grew up working on the farm. He attended school at the Blakely school house located at the corner of Lavigne and Blakely Road. As a member of the Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the Navy on Sept 22, 1942, attended basic training at Great Lakes, Ill and was first stationed in New Orleans demagnetizing ships. He then served aboard the LST512 was stationed in England where he experienced air raids by German VI & V2 bombs. On D-Day the LST512 was part of the large fleet that sailed to Omaha Beach. He piloted a Higgins boat multiple times that day from the LST to Omaha Beach bring troops to the shore. Following D-Day, the LST512 made numerous trips from France to England transporting the wounded and German POWs to England and returning with more troops and supplies. The LST512 sunk off the coast of Normandy in a storm in early October of 1944. Fortunately, all made it to the beach including their 502 German POWs. They were stranded on the beach for a month before being picked up by another LST. They returned to England and were granted 2 weeks survivors leave. The crew left for the US, but shortly after their departure, the Battle of the Bulge began. The ship then circled for 3 days before being given the go ahead to proceed. His family had not heard from him in months and were happily surprised when he showed up unannounced on Christmas morning. He was discharged from the Navy on Feb. 7, 1946 and returned home to Colchester. While serving in the Navy he received the following commendations: WWII Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, European African-Middle Eastern Theater, Bronze Star, and Good Conduct Medal.
Following his return to Vermont, his parents decided to sell the farm and move to California. He drove his parents and youngest brother across the country towing a travel trailer and got to experience the “Mother Road", Route 66. His parents decided not to remain in CA and all returned east.
Upon his return to Vermont, he decided to purchase a chain saw and enter the logging business. That began a 70 year career, mainly working in Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties. In 1987, he was named Logger of the Year by the Society of American Foresters, Green Mtn Division. By practicing selective cutting techniques, he was often able to return multiple times to the same woodlot to harvest the timber. In winter of 2000 his business was featured in VT Life Magazine. He retired from logging at the age of 93 in 2016.
He had extensive gardens, but upon retirement was able to focus on expanding his vegetable and flowers as well as adding mushroom growing and an orchard of apple, cherry, peach, and plum trees.
He was an avid outdoorsman spending many hours hunting and fishing. Over the summer months there were many picnics at the lake house in North Hero. He was a lifelong Yankees fan and cheered for the Dallas Cowboys.
He married Dorothy Hazen on September 8, 1956, at St. Rose of Lima Church in South Hero.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ernest, Lucien (Lucille), Paul (Kay), sisters Leona, Leah (Gene) Shepard, Irene (Ray) Dextraze, Doris (Fred) Morgan, and brother-in-law Knight Francis.
Arthur is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy; Children: Mary (Michael) Marceau, Richard, Margaret, and Peter (Cindy); Sister Jeannette (Robert) Chicoine of Putnam, CT; Sisters-in-law Helen Francis, Denise Schaefer; Brother-in-law Dan (Judy) Hazen; Granddaughters Ann (Billy) Potter and Leah Lavigne; Great grandson Grant Potter as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family of Arthur wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Marga Sproul, The Burlington VA Clinic, Dr. Michelle Young & staff of the Retina Ctr of VT, and Colchester Rescue.
There will be no visiting hours and the funeral service will be private. The family is planning a memorial service for Spring of 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Salvation Army, State of VT Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Following his return to Vermont, his parents decided to sell the farm and move to California. He drove his parents and youngest brother across the country towing a travel trailer and got to experience the “Mother Road", Route 66. His parents decided not to remain in CA and all returned east.
Upon his return to Vermont, he decided to purchase a chain saw and enter the logging business. That began a 70 year career, mainly working in Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties. In 1987, he was named Logger of the Year by the Society of American Foresters, Green Mtn Division. By practicing selective cutting techniques, he was often able to return multiple times to the same woodlot to harvest the timber. In winter of 2000 his business was featured in VT Life Magazine. He retired from logging at the age of 93 in 2016.
He had extensive gardens, but upon retirement was able to focus on expanding his vegetable and flowers as well as adding mushroom growing and an orchard of apple, cherry, peach, and plum trees.
He was an avid outdoorsman spending many hours hunting and fishing. Over the summer months there were many picnics at the lake house in North Hero. He was a lifelong Yankees fan and cheered for the Dallas Cowboys.
He married Dorothy Hazen on September 8, 1956, at St. Rose of Lima Church in South Hero.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ernest, Lucien (Lucille), Paul (Kay), sisters Leona, Leah (Gene) Shepard, Irene (Ray) Dextraze, Doris (Fred) Morgan, and brother-in-law Knight Francis.
Arthur is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy; Children: Mary (Michael) Marceau, Richard, Margaret, and Peter (Cindy); Sister Jeannette (Robert) Chicoine of Putnam, CT; Sisters-in-law Helen Francis, Denise Schaefer; Brother-in-law Dan (Judy) Hazen; Granddaughters Ann (Billy) Potter and Leah Lavigne; Great grandson Grant Potter as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family of Arthur wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Marga Sproul, The Burlington VA Clinic, Dr. Michelle Young & staff of the Retina Ctr of VT, and Colchester Rescue.
There will be no visiting hours and the funeral service will be private. The family is planning a memorial service for Spring of 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Salvation Army, State of VT Nongame Wildlife Fund.