Charles E. Prouty

SWANTON – Charles E. Prouty, age 94, a lifelong resident of Swanton passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Mr. Prouty was born in St. Albans, Vermont on March 22, 1930, the son of the late Charles D. and Lucille (Brown) Prouty. He graduated from Swanton High School, attended St. Lawrence University, and graduated from Becker College in Worcester, MA in June 1951. 

Mr. Prouty joined the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War in December 1951. He received his honorable discharge in 1953 after serving with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. He continued serving his country for an additional eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve. 

He returned to Swanton upon completion of his service in the Marine Corps, and in 1954 went to work for his father in the family grocery business… Prouty’s IGA Market.

On May 25, 1962, he married the love of his life, the former Shirley Savage and together they had two lovely daughters, Martha and Emily. Mr. Prouty continued in the grocery store that his grandfather, Chester Prouty opened in 1905. In 1965 he joined in partnership with his father and in 1972 became the sole owner. It was during the summer of 1982 that he opened a second business known as the Big Scoop Ice Cream Parlor. In 1988 he sold the grocery business and in 2000 he sold the ice cream business. 

He was dedicated to his community and wanted to give back in time and talent what had been given to him.

That meant spending many years on various boards and committees, but never lost sight that his family always came first. He belonged to the Swanton Chamber of Commerce for over fifty years and served two years as president. Mr. Prouty was on the original school board that oversaw the realization of Missisquoi Valley Union High School and spent twenty years on the board and ten of those years he was chairman. He was a charter member of the Swanton Summer Festival, and he remained on the committee for thirty-five years. The first Swanton Festival was held in 1959. 

He was a member of the Vermont Grocers Association, Swanton Historical Society, American Legion, and the Green Mountain Post No. 1 in St. Albans. He was a member of the Franklin County Development Board, the former Kerbs Memorial Hospital Board, the Swanton Branch of the Chittenden Trust Board of Directors and Swanton Cemetery Commission for over thirty years. He received the Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1964 and in 1978 was given the Swanton Outstanding Citizen Award. Mr. Prouty was a member of the First Congregational Church serving several years on the Board of Trustees. He belonged to the Masonic Seventy-Six Lodge 14 F&AM for over 60 years, Mt. Sinai Temple No 3 A.A.R.O.N.M.S, Mt. Sinai Temple No 3 Motor Corps and the Northern Vermont Shrine Club. 

During his earlier years Mr. Prouty was extremely active in water skiing, down hill snow skiing, as well as cross country. Mr. Prouty always loved the water and has had a camp on Maquam Shore for many years, in 1983 it was torn down and a year-round home was built on the lake. He loved the gorgeous sunsets, the calm waters, and the waves on the lake. He welcomed the changes in the seasons so he could plant flowers in the spring, mow grass in the summer, rake leaves in the fall and shovel snow in the winter. His summer enjoyment was boating on Lake Champlain. He enjoyed cruising the lake in his Sea Ray.

During his retirement years Mr. Prouty and his wife spent many hours in their car taking rides around the countryside and spent two months each winter in Daytona Beach, Florida enjoying the ocean and many friends from around the country.

He especially enjoyed the many days that he and his wife spent with their four grandchildren. They attended all their baseball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse and hockey games cheering them on as well as attending many other school activities. He was very proud that they all graduated from college.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and was especially caring and close to them. He dearly loved his two daughters and grandchildren.

Mr. Prouty leaves behind his loving wife and best friend Shirley of 62 years; his beloved daughters, Martha Walsh and her husband Christopher, and Emily Prouty and partner, Thomas Michel; two grandsons, Matthew Walsh and David Walsh and his fiancé, Amanda, his two granddaughters, Molly and Kate Dillon. 

At Mr. Prouty’s request, there will be no calling hours and funeral services will be held privately at the family’s convenience.

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