Freeman Grant White, 80, of Waitsfield died peacefully at home
surrounded by his loving family on December 14, 2009, after a long
illness.
Freeman was born on July 5, 1929, to Orra and Grace
(Clark) White in Middlesex, VT. He was the youngest of eight children.
He overcame many hardships in his life to become the much respected and
loved man that we all knew. His mother died when he was only 4 years
old and due to his father's illness he was on his own at the age of 9.
He was in the military from 1947-1950, serving most of his tour in
Japan. He married June Lacillade in 1952 and together they raised five
children. This past September they celebrated 57 wonderful years of
marriage.
After leaving the service, he started working for H.
A. Hubbard Fuel Company in Montpelier which relocated to Waitsfield in
1961. In 1967, Freeman and his wife, June, purchased the fuel company
and renamed it F. G. White Co., Inc., which he ran until they sold it
to their oldest son, Stephen, in 1995 when Freeman semi-retired. In
1995, he purchased the adjoining property to the oil company and built
a convenience store, which is now known as Waitsfield Valero.
Throughout
the years Freeman and June traveled extensively to all 50 states and
several countries. Freeman was an avid golfer, watched NASCAR, golfed,
watched football, golfed, watched major league baseball, golfed, and
spent time with his friends and family.
He is survived by his
wife, June, of Waitsfield; his son, Stephen White, and his wife, Lynn,
of Addison; his son, Wayne White, and his companion, Colleen, of
Northfield Falls; his daughter, Susan Rounds, of East Montpelier; his
daughter, Wendy Gilbert, and her husband, Brian, of Waitsfield; 10
grandchildren: Chad White, Matthew White, Buffy Miller, Heather Gauvin,
Kelly Otty, William Rounds, Justin Lamson, Grant Folsom, Katie Vinton
and Garret Folsom; 10 great-grandchildren: Kyla, Kyra, Jordyn, Brendan,
Caleb, Leah, Gracie, Sophia, Tucker and Natalie; his in-laws: Marion
Aubertin, Geneva White, Joyce White, Ethel Lacillade, Virgil Hall,
Dolores Bolles, Cynthia Decoteau, Sherrie LaCount and James LaCount;
and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter,
Debi White; five brothers: Roy, Raymond, Edward, Robert and Orra; and
two sisters: Alice and Emerline.
Calling hours will be held from
6 to 8 p.m., Friday, December 18, at Guare & Sons Funeral Home, 30
School Street, Montpelier. A funeral will be held at the Waitsfield
United Church of Christ, Main Street, Waitsfield, VT, on Saturday,
December 19, at 11 a.m. Immediately following the service, join the
family to share memories and food downstairs in the church.
In
lieu of flowers, please donate to Central Vermont Home Health &
Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641 or at www.cvhhh.org or the
charity of your choice in memory of Freeman.
Those wishing to send on-line condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com and go to Freeman's obituary.
