Gille Benoit

BERKSHIRE - Gille Maurice Benoit, age 67, passed away Wednesday afternoon May 9, 2007 at his home with his loving family at his side.
\tHe was born February 14, 1940 in Enosburgh, VT the son of Georgette (Parent) Benoit and the late Rene Benoit.
\t Gille was a resident of Berkshire most of his life where he owned and operated a trucking business for 45 years and was joined in the family business with his son Chris for the past 25 years.
Gille was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Richford, Knights of Columbus Council #2610 earning his 3rd Degree in 1987 and his 4th Degree in 1989 and served as the councils Financial Secretary.
\tGille was a 37 year member with the Richford Lions Club receiving the Melvin Jones Award in 1993. He served as club president and Secretary since 1975, chaired the Fourth of July auction and Big Ticket Night, served as Dictrict Region Chair and Zone Chair, and helped with the Lions Club Mint Sales.
\tGille was a member of the Vermont Army National Guard for 11 years receiving an honorable discharge in 1968. He was a 15 year member of the American Legion Post # 12 of Richford.
\tGille was a volunteer for the Richford Ambulance Service for 15 years ending in 1984. He was also an American Red Cross Blood Donor receiving his 16 Gallon Pin.
\tOf all of Gilles accomplishments his family was most important to him. He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren going to the movies, fishing, gardening among many other activities.
\tHe is survived by his wife, Madeleine (Larose) Benoit of Berkshire. They were married June 26, 1965; his children, Christopher Benoit his wife Kelly and their children, Alexandria & Samuel of Berkshire, Gregory Benoit his fianc Stephanie and their children, Jacob & Ian of Richford, and Renee Benoit her boyfriend, Dwayne Feeley of Franklin; his mother and her husband, Georgette & Raymond Theriault of Cowansville, Quebec; 1 brother and his wife, Pierre & Betty Benoit of Franklin; 2 sisters and their husbands, Sue & John Selby of Greenville, NC, and Ginette & Donald Pigeon of Fairfax, VT; his brother-in-law, David Larose and his friend Betsy Magee of Essex; his sisters-in-law and their husbands, Joyce & Derrell McCrary of St. Petersburg, FL, Diane & Robert Parent of Sheldon, and Denise & Robert Hand of Pensacola, FL; several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Rene Benoit in 1966
\tFuneral services will be held Monday, May 14, 2007 at 11:00 AM at All Saints Catholic Church in Richford with Rev. Frank Eksterowicz celebrating the Mass of Christian burial. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Enosburg Falls.
\tVisiting hours will be held Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.
\tFor those who wish, contributions in Gilles memory may be made to Vermont Lions Charities, P.O. Box 266, South Strafford, VT 05070 or to the Thomas S. Cook Endowment Fund at the Vermont Childrens Hospital, 111 Colchester Ave., Burlington, VT 05401\tCondolences may be sent to the family on-line through www.spearsfuneralhome.com