Fabien J. FerlandGeorgia - Mr. Fabien J. Ferland, age 86, died Wednesday morning, August 26, 2009, in the FAHC surrounded by his loving family, following an illness of several months. He was born in Highgate October 5, 1922 son of the late Leonard and Mary Anna (Bilodeau) Ferland. He graduated from St. Anne Academy, Class of 1941. He married Rita Laroche October 30, 1948. They operated a dairy farm on the Franklin Road from 1948 until 1969 when they moved to Georgia. He then worked for The Goodrich Construction Company until he started his own business in construction and finish carpentry. During this time he built the altars, Baptismal Font and most of the furnishings for the newly built Ascension Church. He also converted the Houghton House, in St. Albans to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home.
Besides being an active parishioner of the Ascension Parish, Fabien was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council # 297 and the Fourth Degree Assembly. He was also a charter member of the Georgia Lions Club. During his retirement he enjoyed helping his wife, Rita, with their pickles and jam business. He especially enjoyed visiting with people at the many craft shows they attended.
His survivors include his wife Rita, of over 60 years, their children and spouses Lise and Gaston Gagner, John and Jane Ferland, Mariette and Gilles Messier, Martha and Bernard Gagner, Ann and Ross Allen, Lucie and Claude Fortin, Sylvia and Michael Gagne, Carol and Steve Baitz, Joyce and David Fitzgerald, Estelle and George DeCell, Nicole and Corey Noel, 32 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, sisters Sister Cecile Ferland, S.S.J., Cecile and Henry Laroche, brothers Father Martin “Felix” Ferland, Clement and Gloria Ferland, in-laws Douglas Gale, Armande and Pamphile Tremblay, Maurice Laroche, Aline Bouchard, Claire Menard, Denise and Roger Rainville, Cecile Laroche, Norman Laroche, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Fabien was predeceased by his three sons Andre, Louis and Daniel, by his granddaughter Jeannine Gagner, sisters Theresa Gale, Marguerite Larose, in-laws Norman Larose, Juliette Laroche, George Laroche, Phillip Bouchard, Marcel Laroche, Claude Menard, Ida Laroche and Anita Laroche.
Fabien’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Christine Jones, physicians and staff at Fletcher Allen who gave dad the most wonderful care and to the staff of the St. Albans Health and Rehab Center, Lois and Karen of Home Instead, staff and physicians of Northwestern Medical Center and staff of Franklin County Home Health Agency.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, August 31, at 11:00 A. M. in the Ascension Church. A luncheon will follow the Mass. Burial will be at 3:00 P. M. in the family lot in St. Louis Cemetery, Highgate Center. Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., St. Albans, Vt. from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 on Sunday. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked, in lieu of flowers, to make memorials to the Marionite Monks of Adoration, 67 Dugway Road, Petersham, Mass., 01366-9725 or to the Ascension Parish Scholarship Fund, 246 Lake Street, St. Albans, Vt. 05478. Online condolences may be sent by the funeral home website:
www.bnlfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.
