Daniel J. Lemieux

BARRE TOWN - On a late fall day in 1996 I rounded a corner on Owen Drive to meet my future wife’s father. (He was not expecting me.)

In the driveway was a man about 5’2” tall and 115 lbs. The gold jacket he was wearing was a little over-sized, but it matched the well-worn work gloves and a dark blue winter hat with a gold smiley face patch. He had spent the day bringing the wood that he had stacked that Spring from outside to inside his garage. 4 cords by himself with his trusty 40-year-old wheel barrow. He was almost 70 and looked 55. Our conversation wasn’t all that long that day, but he was very polite, even when he asked me to leave so he could finish his work. It’s fair to say sparks did not fly between us that day but it wouldn’t take long for me to realize just how special a man I had met. Over the next 22 years we would come to know each other very well. He would tell me often about his journey through life. It was one of Amazing fortitude, Faith and hard work…It’s my honor to tell you about it...

Berlin, NH January 1, 1927 Peter Lemieux and Emile (Couture) Lemieux were given $100. This was because Emilie had given birth to the first baby in the hospital that year. It was a boy and they named him Daniel Joseph Lemieux. The now family of 5, Elaine and Dolores were his older sisters, would move to Barre, VT later that same year.

He attended St. Monica’s graded school where he was an altar boy and went to Spaulding High School in Barre for 2 years. In 1943, the family would move to Middlesex and run a farm. He graduated from St. Michaels High School, class of 1945. They lived through “The Great Depression” and as a child one of his best Christmas gifts was an orange. Yes, a piece of fruit was a big deal. I’m not convinced that would fly with the youth of today but feel free to try it. He did chores before and after school every day because that was what you did. Like many people of his generation he was resilient and embraced working hard for a better life.

After graduating he continued to work on the farm until moving to Barre and getting a job at the IGA. He was drafted into the Army on May 9, 1946. After basic training at Fort Belvore, VA engineering camp, then shipped to the Philippines.  A 30-day ride, one way, aboard the USS General Hassey. He would be the Quarter Master in Battery A 538th Field Battalion and part of a rotating guard duty for Japanese prisoners. Honorably discharged in June 1947. He came home and stayed with his parents who by then lived on Webster Street in Barre.

After 60 days at sea and a year in the Philippines, at the age of 20, he joked “I’ve traveled enough, I like my home”. There were also the classic stories of how a banana got him into the Army and that he told his mother he’d be home for dinner and didn’t return until 7 months later, after boot camp.

December of ’47 he began working at the First National Stores and would do so for 13 years, 10 of those years he was the Assistant Manager. In June of 1960 he went to work for Howard’s Market in South Barre. There he would be the personnel manager for the next 6 years, NEVER missing a day in all that time. In May of ’66 he began working at Capitol City Press in Berlin. Starting off as a stock handler then eventually would manage the shipping and receiving department. Working there full-time for 26 years, he semi-retired in 1992 but continued to supervise shipping part time for another 4 years. Fully retiring on May 1, 1996.

He married Louise (Crete) Lemieux of Barre on June 11, 1960 in St. Monica’s Church. Their son Peter was born in 1964. They would purchase a home in Barre Town in 1967 and in 1968 a daughter Renee was born. Family outings were mostly spent snowmobiling, swimming in Groton or Caspian Lake, foliage rides and the occasional trip to the Hidden Valley Dude Ranch for some horseback riding. The couple also enjoyed sharing in the upkeep of their home and property, which was always immaculate.

Being a man of constant motion, he slowed very little after retiring. “There’s always something to do and I’ve got the time” … “Get it done”… “pay and Forget” … “Do your best and to heck with the rest” …were among the many pearls of wisdom he’d often offer. He looked forward to stacking his 4 cords of wood in the spring and bringing it in in the fall. Doing this by himself with a that same wheel barrow I had seen at our first meeting. Instead of using a weed whacker it was hand trimmers on his knees or undercoat the spotless 28-year-old truck with grease by hand. He’d push mow his property. (The SAME lawn mower was used for 45 years). Shovel the driveway, he would allow it to be plowed but there had to be more than a foot of snow. These things and many more were done until the age of 90. He was still driving at age 91. I often thought he was as much a machine as man. Time not moving was spent mostly admiring the fire in the wood stove, reading the paper, enjoying his cat and planning the next day’s affairs. His television was rarely on but the 6 o’clock news and Sunday football were also always on the “to-do” list.

Living almost 92 years there were many joys along the way, as well as many sorrows.

His son Peter would pass away unexpectedly on January 1,1984. Losing a child is the most painful experience someone can have and when it happens on your birthday it’s hard to imagine the amount of strength it took to keep going.  Sadly, on May 27,1991 his wife Louise would also pass away much too soon. We sometimes talked about those days and how he overcame the depression and incredible sadness that followed. Being a man of immense Faith, he looked to his church. Not for the answer to why, but for guidance and understanding. As he talked tears would slowly run down his cheeks as he’d explained to me …   “It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life. How long we have them is not up to us. Sometimes there is only one set of footprints in the sand and I do not feel forsaken, I’m thankful for the time we had…” I would listen to him and be blown away his resolve. Finding him that much more Amazing.

Some other things about him were just as remarkable. He never had a credit card or took out a loan for a car. Yes, he did finance his house but paid it off in 11 years. He often gave to charity but would never accept anyone doing something for him without compensation, no matter how menial the task. Also, his ability to remember names, specific dates and times was uncanny. Even if you only met him a few times he would remember your name and birthday if you told him when it was. A man of his word, he didn’t break promises and was always punctual. He was never late, believing it to be an insult to keep someone waiting without good reason.

Without fail every morning and every night he would get on his knees and say his prayers aloud. Praying for the souls of the ones he loved and many he had lost. Among them were not only his wife and son, but his parents, both sisters, his nephew and many, many other family members and friends along the way. Believe me when I say this ritual took a while, and true to his nature he left no name unspoken or forgotten.

Daniel Joseph Lemieux shed his mortal coil at home, peacefully on November 10, 2018. His work on this Earth done, joining his loved ones in the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s fair to say that he taught me a thing or two.

He is survived by his Daughter Renee and Son-in- Law James O’Keefe of Barre. Also, by Nieces Charlene Buttura of Montpelier and Louise Mar of San Francisco CA, along with many in-laws and extended family.

He was a devoted husband and father. He worked hard to provide for his family. Another one of his favorite sayings being, “things could be better, things could be worse”, he’d often tell us.

Looking back, I know now that everything he did, he did it for Renee. All he ever wanted was for her to be happy and enjoy life.

He was "The Greatest Generation". No moniker could be more appropriate, and he certainly lived up to it.
Thank you Buddy, Peace be with you.

As per his wishes there will be no calling hours. A committal ceremony will be held in the Spring in St. Sylvester’s Cemetery.

In lieu of cards donations can be made in his name to the Central Vermont Humane Society, PO Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601.