Garry Atherton

RICHFORD - Garry L. Atherton, age 75, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at his home in Richford.

He was born in Bakersfield to the late Everett Sr. & Doris (Reed) Atherton.

Garry was a man of hard work and dedication, serving as a foreman in the construction industry throughout his life. He worked for Ralph Goodrich for many years, and retired from the Village of Enosburg Falls after several years of service. He had a unique passion for working with the earth, loving dirt and despising rocks - a true man of the land.

Garry lived a life full of generosity, always putting others before himself. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of hunting, fishing, maple sugaring, watching the Red Sox, and cherished moments spent at deer camp. He was a tech-savvy individual, he kept up with the latest advancements and found delight in online shopping through Amazon.

He was a family man at heart, finding his greatest happiness spending time with loved ones, especially his grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Debra Atherton; his children, Eric Atherton and his wife Lindsay, and Amy Riley and her husband Chad; grandchildren, Eric Riley, Benjamin Atherton, and Ellery Atherton; one great grandchild, Jaxon Riley; siblings, Janice Fletcher and her husband Noel, and Garth Atherton and his wife Judy; siblings-in-law, Lawrence Gregoire, Cosimo "Coke" Brigante, and Sue Atherton; mother-in-law, Faith Valyou; several brothers and sisters in-law from the Valyou family; and many nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents, Garry was predeceased by his first wife, Annette (Bapp) Atherton; a stillborn daughter, Jennifer Atherton; siblings, Phyllis Gregoire, Everett Atherton Jr., Lorraine Brigante, and Corrine Gregoire and her husband Paul Sr.; and his father-in-law, Wesley Valyou.

Friends & family are invited to Garry's life celebration on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 to include visitation from 4-6:00 PM followed with a memorial service at 6:00 PM at the Goss-Spears Life Celebration Home, 96 Dickinson Avenue, Enosburg Falls, VT. Interment will be held at the family's convenience in Richford Center Cemetery.

For those who wish, contributions in Garry's memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 55 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601.

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