Gerard GRATTON

GERARD “BUDDY“ JOSEPH GRATTON SR.-- ST. ALBANS — Gerard “Buddy“ Gratton Sr., 81, a lifelong area resident, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004, in the Redstone Villa Nursing Home with his loving family at his side. He was born in St. Albans, Jan. 12, 1923, the son of the late Alphonse and Alma (Larocque) Gratton. “Buddy“ was a self employed mason and concrete contractor for 30 years, after which he was employed by J & L Foundations for 15 years. He was an avid reader and gardener and enjoyed hunting and fishing and many family gatherings. Memberships included St. Albans Lodge 1090, Loyal Order of the Moose, and Green Mountain Post 1, American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Norma (Norris) Gratton; two sons, Gerard J. Gratton Jr. and Richard Gratton; three daughters Allyn Chase, Lise Pearce and her husband, Anthony, and Jeanine Gratton; a stepson, Larry Raymond and his wife Charlotte; five stepdaughters, Shelley Jonston and her husband Ronnie, Sheri Bergeron and her friend Danny Poissant, Terri Cook and her husband Dave, and Kelley Domina and her husband Pat; three sisters, Pearl Lumbra and her husband Francis, Theresa Garceau, and Lillian Rocheleau and her husband Maurice; four brothers, Henry Gratton, Ernest Gratton and his wife Helen, Leo Gratton and his wife Charlotte, and Raymond Gratton and his wife Lorraine. Also, several grand- children; a great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Alphonse and Alma Gratton, he was predeceased by two brothers, Oliver “Babe“ Gratton and Maurice “Baldy“ Gratton; two sisters, Lucille Recette and Jeanette Leadbeater; and a nephew, Eugene Gratton. The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the staff at Redstone Villa for their care and compassion shown to “Buddy“ during his stay. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m. in the Heald Funeral Chapel with Father Leonidas B. Laroche, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the hour of the funeral in the Heald Funeral Home, 87 S. Main St. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorials to the Gratton family, in care of the Heald Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories are welcome at www.heald funeralhome.com.