Gerald Lapierre's Brother Lucien Passes Away

[Henry]

Lucien P. Lapierre

Georgia - Lucien P. Lapierre, 74, a lifelong resident of Georgia and former fire chief, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2008, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility with his loving family at his side. Born in Georgia on June 21, 1933, Lucien was the son of the late Leopold and Cordelia (Pelletier) Lapierre.  On October 13, 1984, Lucien married the former Sandra L. Phelps, who preceded him in death on January 13, 1997.

Lucien served his country in the U.S. Army receiving his honorable discharge in 1956.  He attended night classes to receive his G.E.D., so that he could work for the U.S. Postal Service.  He retired in 1996, after many years as a rural route carrier for the Post Office in Milton.  He also farmed for many years in Georgia.  Lucien was a very active member of the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department. While serving as chief in 1967-1968, he purchased the first fire truck for the town. He was a member of Green Mountain Post #1, American Legion. His day started with his many friends at the 8 AM coffee group that met at McDonald’s. Lucien was an avid collector of license plates, having collected one from each state. K1SID was Lucien’s call letters as an amateur radio operator. Lucien and his son, Steve restored antique tractors, one of which he was planning to drive in the Georgia parade on Saturday.

Survivors include his son Steve Lapierre and wife, Bev of Georgia; his daughters, Lynda Newton and husband, Roger of Philadelphia; Gale Clevenger and husband, Ken of Pennsboro, West Virginia; Jan Moreau and husband, James of Jeffersonville; Joanne Hamblett and husband, Steve of Georgia, three sisters, Helen Calvin and husband, Dick of St. Albans, Cecile Rocheleau and husband, Elphege of St Albans; Yvonne Blake and husband, George of Georgia, his brother, Gerald Lapierre and wife, Jeannette of Fairfax and his brother-in-law, Gary Phelps and wife, Ginger of Essex.  Lucien is also survived by his grandchildren, Maureen Martinez, Joshua Newton, Wendy Hopkins, Kevin Lapierre, Bethany White, Nicholas Morgan, Emily, Michelle, Amanda and Angela Moreau, Corey and Kristi Hamblett and his great grandchildren, Ashley White, Vicki Collins, Sam and David Hopkins, Caitlin and Madison Lapierre, Gage Sise, Kairi and Mariah Martinez and Elizabeth Minor. He also leaves his step-children, Sheryl Wells of Georgia; Sharon Laroche and husband, Burt of St. Albans; Thomas Hanson of Georgia; and Kristina Jenkins and husband, Mike of Georgia, his step-grandchildren, Joey Wells, Thomas Hanson, Kaitlin and Gracie Jenkins, his close friends Tim and Susan Malley and their daughter, Colleen of Georgia; several nieces and nephews and his beloved cats, Tattoo and Tarzan.  In addition to his parents and wife, Sandra, Lucien was preceded in death by his brother, Marcel; brother-in-law, Rene Gingras and step-daughter, Tammy Hanson.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 2:00 PM in the Heald Funeral Chapel, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans with the Reverend Charles Kuthe, Pastor of the Georgia Plain Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in Georgia Plain Cemetery.  Lucien’s family will receive friends on Saturday from 5-8 PM at the funeral home.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Georgia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, 62 Gabaree Road, Milton, Vermont 05468. Messages of condolence to the Lapierre family are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.

[Henry]

Georgia – A funeral service for Lucien P. Lapierre, who passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2008, was held on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. in the Heald Funeral Chapel with Charles Kuthe, Pastor of the Georgia Plain Baptist Church and Chaplain with the Georgia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department officiating. Music selected for the service, “Amazing Grace”, “Memories”, “Thou I Have Left You”, and “God Bless America”, were by guitarist and vocalist, Mary Jo Gillilan.   Words of Remembrance were shared by fellow Firefighter and Safety Officer, Richard Palmer.

Forming a Guard of Honor were members from Green Mountain Post, #1, American Legion, Robert E. Glidden Post #758, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and the Color Guard from the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department. 

In attendance was a large delegation of Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians comprised of members from Georgia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, Milton Fire Department, St. Albans Town Volunteer Fire Department, St. Albans City Fire Department, Amcare Ambulance Service, Franklin County International Firefighters Association and Vermont State Firefighters Association.  Also represented were the Town of Georgia, Retired U.S. Postal Employees from the Milton Post Office, A. N. Deringer, Camp Precast, PBM Nutritional, Kenneth Adams Construction, First Congregational Church of St. Albans, Vermont State Guard, Seneca Lodge # 40, F&AM, Chittenden Chapter 45, O.E.S., Milton Building Supply, Joyal Fuels, Pelletier Auto Body, Amerigas, McDonald’s 8 AM coffee group, Franklin County CERT, Georgia Center Market and several area farmers.

Honorary bearers were longtime friends, Robert Ellis and Fredrick Bliss.

Casket bearers were fellow firefighters from the Georgia Fire Department, Chief Chris Gonyeau, former Chiefs Ric Nye and Tom Bronson,  firefighters, Richard Palmer,  Gary Palmer and Brian Bechard.

Following the service a final salute was accorded the U.S. Army Veteran and former fire chief by both the Veterans Honor Guard and the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department Color Guard.  The hearse carrying Lucien casket was escorted to the Georgia Fire Station by Georgia’s 6 Engine 2 and the St. Albans Town 5 Ladder 1. St. Albans City Fire Department, 3 Engine 1 provided traffic detail for the funeral procession. 

Upon arriving at the Georgia Fire Station, Mr. Lapierre’s casket was transferred from the Heald Funeral Home coach to a wagon drawn by the Farmall “H” tractor which Lucien and his son Steve had restored.  At that time the “Final Alarm” was sounded by Firefighter, Gary Palmer.   The tractor and wagon bearing Lucien’s casket was driven to Georgia Plains Cemetery by family friend, Arnold “Buster” Rivers.

 Following Prayers of Committal by Pastor Kuthe, the American Flag from the veteran’s casket was folded by firefighters, Jay Paquette and Elwyn Sweeny and then presented   to Lucien’s grandson, Spec. Kevin Lapierre, who is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.   A reception then followed in the fellowship hall of the Georgia Plain Baptist Church hosted by the Georgia community.  During visitation on Saturday a Guard of Honor was posted at Lucien’s casket by  Richard Palmer, Jay Paquette, Art Carroll, Dick McCrath, Elwyn Sweeney, Roy Graham, Ed Larente and Russ Hardy all  members of the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department Color Guard.  Assisting Lucien’s family is the Heald Funeral Home of St. Albans.