Leo “Chief” Edward Lalancette Age: 97 Essex, VT

Leo Edward Lalancette, age 97, passed away peacefully at Maple Ridge Memory Care in Essex, Vermont, on June 26th.

Born in Nashua NH, Leo was the oldest and last living child of the late Pierre and Eva (Belair) Lalancette. Leo is predeceased by his wife Solange (Maher) whom he married June 12, 1948, in Portsmouth, NH his brother William Lalancette of Portsmouth NH, his sister Alberta “Bert” and husband Walter Kitson of Biloxi, MS, his sister Beatrice “Bea” and husband Larry Gerlack of South Burlington, and his brother Roland of Portsmouth NH.

Leo leaves behind his son Michael and wife Patricia Bouchard of Essex Junction VT, son Richard of Rutland VT, daughter Denise Johnston of Santa Fe NM, son Dennis and wife Cheryl (Wells) of Williston VT, daughter Pamela Munsell of Fairfax VT, son Robert and wife Terry (Cardinal) of Essex, VT, and daughter Linda Corey and husband Jeffrey of Fairfax VT. Leo also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Leo attended school in Nashua, NH. He enlisted as a seaman in the Navy in 1942 and served 20 years including shipboard service during WW2. He retired from the Navy as a Shipfitter Chief Petty Officer. He began working at IBM in Essex Junction, VT in 1965 in facilities maintenance and retired from IBM in 1987.

Leo enjoyed taking visitors and relatives “on tour” and sharing the delights of the Green Mountain State. Leo also enjoyed wood working with his “hobby lobby” buddies, carpentry projects with friends and family, and building birdhouses. A skilled craftsman, he was known to be able to “fix anything but a broken heart.”

Leo was a loyal parishioner of Holy Family Parish in Essex Junction VT, a faithful husband, dedicated father, and friend to all.

The family thanks the staff at Gazebo Senior Living, where Leo was a long-term resident, and Maple Ridge Memory Care, for assisting Leo over the years. Thank you also to Bayada Hospice Care for your assistance during a difficult time.

Visiting hours will be from 3 PM to 7 PM July 6, 2022, at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street in Essex Junction, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 7, at 10:30 AM at Holy Family Church, 4 Prospect Street in Essex Junction, VT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH  45250-0301.