Willard P. Couillard

WEBSTERVILLE – Willard Pierre “Goo” Couillard, 88 of Brook Street passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at the Woodridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin. His loving family was with him at his bedside.

Born January 13, 1929 in Graniteville, he was the son of Avila and Maude (Jeanette) Couillard.

Goo attended elementary school in Graniteville and graduated from Spaulding High School with the class of 1947. On May 11, 1948 he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea refueling jets for occupation and chauffeuring the Chaplain to his many duties. He was honorably discharged on May 14, 1952.

On November 6, 1954 he married Marjorie Payne in the St. Sylvester Church in Graniteville. After their marriage they lived in Graniteville. In 1964, they bought a home in Websterville and lived there for 53 years together.

Goo was first employed by Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut. He moved back to Vermont and worked for Couillard Heating Oil as a delivery truck driver for 39 ½ years, retiring in 1992.

His memberships included the St. Monica and St. Sylvester parishes and was a lifetime member of VFW Post #790. He was a past member of the Canadian Club and the American Legion Post #10 both of Barre as well as the St. Jean the Baptiste Club also of Barre.

Goo enjoyed camping with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, cross country skiing, playing cribbage, going bowling and playing pitch at his brother Homer’s gas station on Sunday mornings. He and Marjorie liked to travel and made several trips out west, as well as many trips to Maine, staying at the “Breakers” on Higgins Beach.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; his daughter Charmane McKenzie and her husband, Stephen of Swanton; his sons Charles “Chuck” Couillard and his wife, Rhonda of Barre and Daniel Couillard and his wife, Sandra of Williamstown; his grandchildren Tara McKenzie Partlow, Ryan McKenzie, Racheal Couillard Hill, and Matthew Couillard; 6 great-grandchildren; as well as his sister Eva Sartwell of Concord, NH.

He was predeceased by his parents, his grandson Daniel Willard Couillard II, and his siblings Edmund, Homer, William, Alice, Leo, Raymond, Paul, Emile, Richard, Albert, Charles, Genevieve, and Maurice.

A graveside service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Graniteville. There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641 or the Vermont Alzheimer’s Association, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130, Williston, VT 05495.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodridge for their outstanding and loving care of Goo.