Richard M. Vercoe

COLCHESTER – Richard M. “Rick” Vercoe, 69, a long-time Colchester resident, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the McClure Miller Respite House with his family at his side.

Born on July 30, 1955, in Burlington, he was the son of Maurice and Margaret (Batchelder) Vercoe. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from Burlington High School in 1974.

After meeting his teenage sweetheart, Robin Heuslein, at Camp Missiquoi the summer of 1974, they married on August 14, 1976, in the Enosburg Methodist Church. They eventually made their home in Colchester.

Rick enjoyed being a small business owner. He also enjoyed a long and successful sales career, with Land Air being his most favorite.

He attended the Essex Alliance Church for many years and served on the worship team there.

In his spare time, Rick enjoyed music – he played in several bands in his early years and later, on the worship team at church. Rick was a gifted musician; within just a few hours of picking up any instrument, he could play it with ease.

Rick truly enjoyed tinkering and building things in his workshop for those he loved. He enjoyed building model airplanes, building and driving his RC cars and even some metal work! Rick relaxed by cheering on NASCAR racer, Bill Elliot, and cheering on the Yankees and Rams. What Rick enjoyed the most, though, was cooking and grilling for his family and being surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. During basketball season, rooting for the Celtics with his grandson, Mason, was something he treasured.

He was an avid animal lover, with Abby and Zola being his beloved dogs. Rick loved his Mustangs too, and enjoyed taking rides with Robin, stopping at the lake to watch the sunset and out for maple creemees on a hot summer night.

Survivors include his wife Robin Vercoe of Colchester; his daughters Jennifer (Eric) Ruggiero and Kellie (Mac) Mellish; his grandchildren Mason, Megan and Max Ruggiero and Maeve Mellish; his sisters Cheryl (Ezzeddine) Fatnassi; Mardi Rogers, Kris Russell; his brothers-in-law, Rick (Renee) Heuslein and Bob (Judy) Heuslein, sister-in-law Renae Gadue, his special aunt Carolyn Granai Vercoe, his mother-in-law Donna Heuslein, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his very special Uncle Norman Vercoe, his father-in-law Frank Heuslein, his brother-in-law Kevin Gadue, and very special friends, Wayne and Carolyn Mitchell.

The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at the convenience of his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, or to the McClure Miller Respite House, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.