PAUL F. DESROCHERS

Paul Frederick Desrochers, 87, a longtime resident of this area, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Born Sept. 1, 1922, in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada, he was the son of the late Joseph Desrochers and Hilda (Corney) Chabot. On Aug. 31, 1991, Paul married the former Louella Viens, who survives him.
Paul attended school at the North Neighborhood School in Coventry, Vt. He owned and operated a farm for 25 years and received the Vermont Quality Farmer of The Year Award in 1965. He later was employed as a machinist by General Electric Company for 20 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Franklin County Sportsman Club, Franklin County Soil Conservation Service and the DHIA. He was a former communicant of the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at St. Albans Bay. Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, target shooting and reading.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Louella, of St. Albans Town; his sons, Norman Desrochers of St. Albans Bay and Albert Desrochers and wife, Brenda, of Enosburg Falls; his daughters, Marie Thomas and husband, Bradley, of St. Albans Town and Claire Roberts and husband, Thomas, of Beebe Plain, Vt.; his grandchildren, Joe Desrochers of Ohio, Tina and Mike Hathaway of Milton, Jeff Desrochers of Swanton, Kelly and Brad Bergeron of Swanton, Kevin Thomas and partner, Jessica, of Winooski, Sarah Thomas and fiancé, Mike, of St. Albans, Amanda Thomas of Burlington, Trafton Thomas of St. Albans, Jason Roberts and wife, Ann, of New York, Jim Roberts of Arizona and Jean Paul Roberts of Beebe Plain, serving in Afghanistan; his brother, Maurice Desrochers and his wife, Jacqueline of St. Albans; sister, Jean Swainbank of St. Albans; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his stepchildren and their spouses, Donna Pouliot and Hal Barta of Missouri, Bruce and Sandi Pouliot of Missouri, Ronald and Shelly Pouliot of Missouri, Linda and Steve Sweetser of Berkshire and David Pouliot and partner, Diane of Fairfield; and his step-grandchildren, Kristi Tatro of Essex, Kari Tatro of Texas, Kyli Tatro of Boston and Kati Birmingham of Mallets Bay. In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Smith; and two brothers, Raymond and Edward.
Paul’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 29, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at 11 a.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church on Lake Street. Interment will follow in the family lot in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, Vermont Chapter, 55 Day Lane, Williston, Vt. 05495. Private messages of condolence are welcome at: www.healdfuneralhome.com.