Gordon J. Booth

BARRE TOWN - Gordon J. Booth, 84, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2016 at UVM Medical Center in Burlington in the care and loving company of his family.
Gordon is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Lou (Richard) Booth of Barre, son Michael Booth and wife Jill of New River, AZ, son Mark Booth and wife Donna of Barre, daughter Vicki Gauthier and husband Tim of Barre, daughter Lori Booth-Houle and husband Craig of Cave Creek, AZ, stepdaughter Gina Cross and husband Larry of Franklin, stepson Ken Corey and wife Patti of Franklin, sister Catherine Salvador of Barre and Venice, FL, and sister Pauline Tonnesen and husband Bob of The Villages, FL, as well as ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Wallace G. and Beatrice (Paquet) Booth, sister Lucille, brother Norman Booth and wife Madeline, sister Beverly Fromm and husband Joe, brother Marcel Booth and wife Evelyn , brother-in-law John Salvador, and niece Carol LaRoche.
Gordon embraced a busy and wide-ranging life dedicated to family, profession, and community service. He was born in Barre Town on November 22, 1931, and after graduating from Spaulding High School in Barre with the Class of 1950, he began a long, productive career as a dairy farmer, garnering recognition as Vermont Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1969 and Vermont Dairyman of the Year in 1975.
Gordon was actively involved in many farming, community, and business organizations, including a long tenure with Eastern A.I. Cooperative as a delegate and advisory board member, membership in the Barre Rotary Club, and service on the Boards of Directors of Washington Electric Cooperative (including a ten-year term as its President) and Middlebury Cooperative Fire Insurance. During the course of his life, Gordon also devoted many years to political governance and leadership, serving his local community, county, and state with dedication and passion. He greatly enjoyed working on behalf of his constituents, beginning with his membership on the Barre Town and Washington County Republican Committees. Gordon served on the Barre Town Board of Selectmen from 1968-1977, including three years as its Chairman, and then won election to the Vermont House of Representatives and served there from 1979-1996. During his tenure in the Vermont legislature, he sat on a number of committees, including Resources, Institutions, Fish & Wildlife, and Highway. He also served as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee from 1981-1984.
Gordon was a man of boundless energy, and in addition to fulfilling his many professional and community responsibilities, he still found time to pursue a variety of family activities and personal interests. He took great pleasure in his role as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, hosting many family barbecues and holiday gatherings. Gordon took particular delight in entertaining his great-grandchildren with tractor rides and many other farm adventures. He enjoyed caring for his farmland and animals, and every spring, working with his family, he produced maple syrup from the woods on his farm. Gordon also took flying lessons for a time, and he enjoyed traveling with Mary Lou as well, including excursions to Alaska, Florida, the American Southwest, and Washington, DC.
Gordon was a lifelong and devoted member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Barre.
To honor Gordon’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. However, family and friends are invited to a celebration of Gordon’s life at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21st, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 79 Summer Street, Barre. Interment will be at St. Sylvester cemetery in Barre Town, with a reception to follow at the Elks Club, 10 Jefferson Street, Barre.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of the following: Barre Town Fire Department, Attn: Fire Chief Christopher Violette, P.O. Box 116, Websterville, VT 05678 (write “Gordon Booth” on memo line for family to be notified of your donation); or Wounded Warrior Project, for which online donations can be made at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=72&campaignSource=WEBSITE&source=HONOR