EARL BESSETTE
NEW HAVEN — Earl Bessette, 89, of New Haven, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at UVM/Porter Medical Center in Middlebury. He was born on May 31, 1930, in Charlotte, Vt., to Solon and Helen Fletcher Bessette.
He married his wife Raymonde on July 7, 1949, at St. Peter’s Church in Vergennes.
Earl’s number one passion was the family farm, Elgin Spring Farm, where he lived and worked for 87 years of his life. He was active in the Town of New Haven, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Historical Society and Beeman Alumni.
He is survived by his wife Raymonde and their children, Earlene Smith of East Middlebury, Diane Bolduc (Eugene) of Shoreham, Alan Bessette (Debra) of New Haven, Denise Martin (Ray) of New Haven, Edward Bessette (Melanie) of New Haven, Laurie Vincent (Brad) of New Haven, and Lisa Bessette (Helen Myhre) of New Haven; his sister Lois Zeno (Toby) of Monkton; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Doris Godard and Eleanor Hawley, and his son-in-law Eddie Smith.
A funeral service for Earl will be held at St. Peter’s in Vergennes on Monday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m., with Father Yvon Royer officiating. Pallbearers include Duane Bolduc, Chris Bessette, Amos Martin, Taylor Bessette, Logan Bessette and Dylan Stearns. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery on Town Hill Road in New Haven following the ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Addison County Fair and Field Days Antique Barn – In Memory of Earl Bessette, c/o Earlene Smith, 400 East Main St., Middlebury, VT 05753.
So sorry to hear about Earl. He truly led a very blessed life with his devoted family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dawn Way (Lou and Bette Shepard ‘s daughter)
What a fine man. He will be missed. Prayers to the whole family.
So sorry for your Loss. Blessings and prayers to you in this time.
I am so very sorry, There are no words to describe how deeply Earl will be missed.
Our sincere condolences to the whole Bessette family. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Our sincere condolences to the whole Bessette family. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sent from Florida.
Condolences to all of you. Earl was truly a Vermonter who was a friend to everyone he ever met. May he rest in peace and all of you find strength in your great memories. Hugs, Sharon
Raymonde and family: We are so deeply saddened by the loss of Earl. He was a man that cared of his family and the farm around him. As he sat in his chair on the porch, he would speak of the deer in the far off fields they we, as visitors, had a hard time to see! His stories of years gone by, sharing those of Eleanor and Mother, are now only memories. We will cherish those stories of Elgins Spring Farm and long for the day when we will be united with him and those we have loved.
May all of you be blessed with inner peace. He will be greatly missed!!
Love you!!
Donald and Cheryl
I’m so sorry! 😘🙏🏻💜
I always enjoyed talking with Earl, a very clever and knowledgeable man. I will miss those times now but am happy that I had the experiences. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend Earl’s funeral as I must deliver Meals On Wheels at that time and can’t find a sub, but my thoughts will be with Earl and his family.
Amazing man – Amazing family. Some of my greatest college memories are the times we spent at Elgin Springs Farm. My entire family loved being there and my dad enjoyed the hours talking farmer to farmer with Earl “Papa Smurf”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Much love, John Diana Wendy Tammy Goddard
To the Earl Bessette Family, We have many fond memories of doing business with the Bessette Family especially Earl, he was a one of a kind and took great pride in the Town of New Haven. We have missed him in recent years but in no way was he forgotten and never will be. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. R.I.P. my friend.
Randy Clark, President
Clark’s Truck Center
Jericho, VT
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of mourning.George and Diane Bennett and Family.
So sorry to hear of Earl’s passing..our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time..love the Chandler family..
I will so miss talking to him on my walks down Plank Rd. He and is Gator were a fixture in the community.
To all you Bessettes, your family has been a part of the sheffert family since Clem was 16???? Earl was full of history and so glad he wrote it down! He was a very special, proud hardworking farmer of the land. God bless him and all of you!
Laurie and Family, thinking about you all during this sadness of losing your Dad.
He will be remembered by many with his book!
Aunt Ginger & Uncle David
Sorry for your loss. My parents, who have passed, Laurence Clark and Scarlet Rose Clark spoke of Mr. Bessette. Amos & Carrie Higbee would keep them up to date of the friends from New Haven. Prayers to you all.
My husband, Alan & I wish to offer condolences to all the family in their time of sorrow.
Condolences to all of Earl’s family. He will be missed my many. Rest in Peace Earl.