Jesse D. Griffith

WILLIAMSTOWN -Jesse D. Griffith, 89, a longtime Williamstown resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 17, 2018 at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin. His loving family was with him at his bedside.

Born on September 20, 1929 in Middlesex, he was the son of Bert and Flora (Corliss) Griffith. He attended elementary school in Middlesex and graduated from Montpelier High School, where he was an honor student and member of the football team, as part of the Class of 1947.

In 1951, Jesse enlisted in the United States Army where he served during the Korean Conflict in the 65 ^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. After five years of distinguished service to his country, he was honorably discharged.

Following his service, he returned to the Barre area where he worked in the granite industry for many years. He held numerous positions in that time and was the Union Steward in most of the granite sheds that he worked. He eventually retired with a pension from the granite industry.

On October 10, 1977, he married the love of his life, Betty Jean Rouleau, in the St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Graniteville. The two made their home and raised their wonderful family in Williamstown.

Jesse was a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Williamstown, the American Legion Post #10 in Barre and the Barre Area Senior Center.

Throughout his life he had many hobbies and interests. The most important of these included being an avid rabbit hunter, fishing, foraging for mushrooms, carpentry, drawing and especially spending time with his beloved family.

Survivors include his loving wife Betty Rouleau Griffith; his sons Joseph Rouleau and his wife, Theresa, of Williamstown, David Rouleau and his wife, Lori, of Barre, his daughter Dawna Howe and her husband, Ron, of Williamstown, Rickey Rouleau and his wife, Kathleen, of Barre Town, Matthew Rouleau and his wife, Cheryl, of Williamstown, Mike Noury and his wife, Carole, of Williamstown; Scott Johnson of Morrisville, Mark Johnson of Morrisville and Cindy Johnson; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also proceeds his brothers Elwin Griffith of East Barre, Royce Griffith and his wife, Carol, of Barre and Corliss Griffith and his wife, Sheila, of Moretown.

Besides his parents he was predeceased by his three brothers Carl, Everett, and Gerald Griffith; and three sisters Louise Perry, Vivian Gavello and Florence Donofrio.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Jesse’s life will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Edward Catholic Church in Williamstown. Friends and family may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre on Wednesday, December 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

A graveside service with full military honors will take place in the Spring at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. A gathering of family and friends will follow the burial.

Memorial contributions in Jesse’s name may be made to the Central Vermont Humane Society, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601 or the Woodridge Nursing Home Patient Activity Fund, 142 Woodridge Drive, Berlin, VT 05602.