Laurence A. Wade, Sr.

BERLIN - Laurence A. (Larry) Wade Sr., 87, of Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing, and formerly of Westwood Parkway in Barre, passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

Born on July 16, 1931 in Putney, Vermont. He was the oldest of nine children, born to Charles and Marjorie (Brooks) Wade. His grandparents, Arthur and Cora Brooks, also of Putney, raised him into his adulthood. Larry spoke fondly over the years of his grandparents, growing up and helping out with their farm. The farming and wood hauling was all done with oxen, and he was proud to be able to help his grandfather ‘run the teams’.

He attended graded school in Putney, and high school in Brattleboro.  After his school years, Larry first worked for The Highway Department, and then for Putney School, finally becoming a part of the Army reserves.

In 1954, while in the Army reserves, he was called to active duty. He was sent overseas where he spent a couple of years in both France and Germany, before returning to the states.

Prior to his duty overseas, he had already made up his mind, that he wanted to take the steps to join the Vermont State Police (VSP). He had applied to the VSP while away but was told that they couldn’t accept his application until he was out of the service. Determined to be a trooper, Larry applied again as soon as he was out of the service, the last part of 1956. He was honored to be given the opportunity and was accepted and joined the Vermont State Police, on January 2, 1957. After being assigned to different training barracks, his first ‘duty station’, was St. Johnsbury.

During his time as a young trooper, he met and fell in love with Romona ‘Rosalie’ Holden, the love of his life. They soon became engaged and married in June of 1958.

In 1963, Larry moved his family to Hardwick, after being assigned to the outpost there.  He worked out of Hardwick until 1967, when he was promoted to Detective Corporal. He was proud of being the first State Police Detective assigned to the Derby barracks. This was a shorter stay for him, because in 1970, he was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to ‘King Troop’, in charge of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He and his wife chose East Barre as their new home, for their children to continue growing up. This was a choice that he was always grateful for, due to so many wonderful families and friends and everlasting memories. Larry was often referred to as, ‘Larry from East Barre’, a title that he was proud to have.

In 1978, he was assigned as the officer in charge of the newly formed ‘Fire Investigation Unit. This was a position that he held until he retired as Captain, in August of 1986. Throughout Larry’s career with the Vermont State Police he attended many law enforcement and fire schools throughout the country. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 1973. In 1978 as the officer in charge of the Fire Investigation Unit, he helped to develop the curriculum, that would be used for the Arson course that was put into use at the National Fire Academy. Over the years, he received many credits, achievements and awards; most all them proudly displayed.

During his career he had the honor of driving several governors and presidents.  One special memory was when he drove California Governor Ronald Reagan, as well as President Richard Nixon.  Dad spoke fondly of these memories over the years.

In January of 1987, only five months into his retirement, Larry received a phone call from the Sergeant at Arms at the statehouse. He was asked if he would be interested in a position, which led to him being the Head Door Keeper, and Assistant Sergeant at Arms. He greatly loved this position and continued with it for 11 years, bringing his total state service to 40 years, which he was very proud of.

Larry held many memberships, during his lifetime. He was a lifetime member of Masonic Granite Lodge #35, Mt. Sinai Shrine; B.P.O.E #1535; American Legion Post 10; State Police Retirees Association; lifetime member of the Canadian Club; member of the Vermont Fire Chiefs Association and the Barre Congregational Church. He served with the Barre Civic Center Committee and had been a Justice of The Peace for both Barre Town and Barre City.  He had been both President and Vice President of the Resident Council at Woodridge. He was very proud of this and he loved advocating for all of the residents on Spruce wing at Woodridge. His final accomplishment was his book that he titled, Memories of Putney. Due to his blindness, he recorded everything on tape, with help from some very special friends.  Dad spent countless days recording, with his sign on the door at Woodridge, “Recording in session,” One very special friend, ‘Norma’, also helped with getting it published. Larry was so thankful, as we all are, for their help in providing his family with this cherished book.

Larry had so many passions and interests, foremost being his family, that he loved so much.  He was very proud to have been a husband to Rosalie, a father to his three children, as well as grandfather and great grandfather.  He adored all of them and lived his life for them. His siblings, his special cousin Margaret, along with other cousins, nieces and nephews, meant the world to him. Larry loved family reunions, and any and all family gatherings.

As it was recently stated by someone who knew him well, “He would always go to great lengths, to be with his family.” Larry cherished all of the friendships that he had made throughout his life.  He made new friends and bumped into old friends wherever he went. He loved people, conversations and telling his many jokes that he had remembered through the years.

In his earlier days he played the drums and he also took a special interest in singing and playing the ‘spoons’. He loved gardening, fishing, camping, various club events, socializing, and dancing with Rosalie any chance he got. He collected coins for many years. He loved going to, and also, having lawn sales.  He loved to find something that he could salvage and turn into something better. Broken, webbed lawn chairs were a hot commodity, and he restored many over the years.

Being there for people in general was what Larry thrived on. People he knew, and people he hadn’t met yet, he was always willing to lend a hand. He would be the one to start the fund drive, always wanting to help others. Larry loved trivia, especially Vermont trivia, and was known quiz his kids and grandkids every chance he got.  Earlier years at Woodridge, he spent hours trying to come up with trivia questions that would stump the other residents.

Feeding the birds was a great passion of Larry’s. He fed them his whole life, and always wanted the right food that would bring in ‘all’ of the birds, including cardinals which he loved to watch. For a very long time at Woodridge, Larry had the other residents save all of their saltines at lunch and dinner, so he could feed the birds. During warmer weather, he loved to go out in the courtyard to feed them.  Baseball was a passion, for dad. From his earlier days in Putney, to taking in games at the local ball fields watching both his kids and grandkids play ball. Dad was a huge Red Sox fan, listening to most games on the radio every chance he had. He never missed their games, and still had pennants hanging in his room.

Larry is survived by his three children: daughter, Sharon Bergeron (Jeff) of Barre; son, Lonny Wade (Cindy) of Williamstown; and son, Rick Wade (Jan) of Lyndonville.  Grandchildren: Justin and Jordan Bergeron; Christopher and Mathew Wade; and Jaedyn and Holden Wade. Great grandchildren: Victor Bergeron, Christian Wade, Keegan Bergeron, Tylar Wade and Isabelle ‘Belle’ Bergeron. A sister, Winnie Myers (Jack) of Boerne, Texas; sister, Lillian Hamilton (Walt) of Putney, Vermont; brother, Carroll Wade of Pulaski, New York; and brother, Walter of Danby, Vermont.

He was predeceased by his wife Rosalie, his sister Lois (Henry) Newcomb, his brothers Stephen Wade, Paul Wade and Alden Wade.

Our family would like to extend their love and gratitude to all the staff at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing.  We could never thank them enough, for the love, compassion, and excellent care, that dad has received for the last eight years. We have been so blessed to have had them watching over his needs; they are family, and dad loved everyone there.

The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., in the Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church Street, Barre. Per Larry’s request there will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing, c/o Patient Activities Fund, P.O. Box 550, Barre, VT 05641or to the Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church Street, Barre, VT 05641.