Arthur Bugbee

BERKSHIRE – Arthur Charles Bugbee, age 81, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

He was born in St. Albans on March 7, 1943 to the late Harvey Clarence & Felicia Mae (Dennis) Bugbee. Art was the youngest boy of 12 children and raised at St. Albans Bay.

Art attended B.F.A. St. Albans, where he graduated with the class of 1962. During his time there, he was an avid sportsman, playing baseball, basketball, and football – his true love was football, where he always rooted for the underdog. Art was also proud to be the first baseball player to hit the ball out of the park at Centennial Field.  

Art was a jack of all trades, owning several local businesses, including The Pub and Saints Quick Stop in East Berkshire. His true passion, however, was logging, where he spent countless hours in the woods, a place that brought him both peace and purpose. As a true outdoorsman, Art loved hunting, fishing, and taking hunting trips across the country, most recently with his best friend, Tom Devarney. Rain or shine, Art was always happiest outdoors—whether he was tending to his garden, cutting wood, or riding his four-wheeler or tractor. He took great pride in raising animals to feed his family and friends, which brought him immense joy. 

Springtime held a special place in Art's heart. He loved maple sugaring season and spent many years tapping, gathering, and boiling with his sister, Ila, and her husband, Lawrence, on their farm in Fairfield. Later, he built his own sugaring operation in his backyard. When he could no longer do it himself, he continued the tradition with his brother-in-law, Jesse Soule, in Black Falls. Art also enjoyed long drives down the back roads in his truck, country music playing, looking for deer and other wildlife. 

A skilled wood and stone worker, Art built beautiful rock gardens and walls and even constructed a cabin in the woods on his property, his personal sanctuary. He loved making wine with his beloved wife, Laurie, and in his younger years, was a frequent participant in dart tournaments, bowling trips, and trips to the casino for a good game of blackjack. He was also known for hosting the family reunion, staying up all night to roast the pig, and playing lively dice games with his brothers and nephews.

Art was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend, but above all, he was known as "Papa", a title he wore with immense pride. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife and partner of the past 32 years, Laurie Bugbee; daughters, Leslie Bugbee and her significant other Brian Tholstrup, Julie McDonald and her fiancé Robbie Martell, and Tira Paquette and her significant other Jason Gagne; grandchildren, Erica Bellrose, Kyle Bellrose and his significant other Sara, Brittany Beames and her husband Eric, Hayley Paquette and her fiancé Justin Guevara, and Ashley Paquette and her significant other Patrick Codey; great grandchildren, Ivee, Kinsley, Damian, and one more on the way, Jace; two sisters, Ila Juaire, and Betty Benoit; sister-in-law, Judy Bugbee; and many special friends, nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents, Art was predeceased by 9 siblings. 

Friends & family are invited to Art’s life celebration on Friday, March 7, 2025 to include visitation from 1-3:00 PM followed with a memorial service at 3:00 PM at the Goss-Spears Life Celebration Home, 96 Dickinson Avenue, Enosburg Falls, VT. Interment will be held at a later date in the St. Albans Bay Cemetery. Art was a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, in his honor please wear your favorite jeans.

For those who wish, contributions in Art’s memory may be made to For the Love of Dogs Vermont, P.O. Box 1112, Waitsfield, VT 05673.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com