Romeo A. BEGNOCHE

ROMEO A. BEGNOCHE BURLINGTON — Romeo A. Begnoche, 76, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, at his home with his loving family by his side, following a courageous battle with colon cancer. Romeo was born in Burlington on Jan. 14, 1929, the son of the late Treffle and Cologne (Daignault) Begnoche. Romeo was married in Burlington on June 3, 1950, to Marie Theresa Plankey. Romeo was a member of the New England Teamsters and Trucking Union whose career in the trucking industry spanned over 30 years starting with Marcel Motors, which was later bought by Quinn Freightlines, and ultimately Maislin Transportaion of Delaware. He ended his career at Norton Brothers Trucking Company retiring in 1992. After retirement, Romeo continued to drive part-time for Priority Express. Romeo was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and was a lifetime member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge 916. Romeo is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Marie Bagnoche; four daughters and one son, Linda Dusablon and her husband, Leo, of Colchester, Janice Palmer and her husband, Craig, of Charlotte, Nancy Pratt and her husband, Thomas of Colchester, Agnes Schumacher of Huntington, and David Begnoche and his wife, Stephanie of Essex Junction; 13 very special grandchildren with whom he enjoyed many hours during is retirement golfing, playing cards, and sharing his electrical and plumbing skills, as well as sharing stories of his youth growing up on the family farm in Swanton. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren: Alan Laroche of Gloucester, Mass., Jason Laroche and his wife, Kimberly, of Essex Junction, Luke Laroche of Colchester, Chad Palmer of Charlotte, Jodi Palmer of Shelburne, Travis Pratt and his fiancee, Lindsay Toumbleston, of Jacksonville, Fla., Ty Pratt of Colchester, Eric Beane of Essex Junction, Ashley Schumacher of Huntington, Samantha, Jacob, Jeremy and Jared Begnoche all of Essex Junction, and one great-grandchild, Kobe Pratt of Jacksonville, Fla. Romeo is also survived by four sisters and three brothers, Yvette Ouimette of Swanton, Leo and his wife, Elaine, of St. Albans, Juliet Ouimette and her husband, Guy, of Feeding Hills, Mass., Rolande Therrien and her husband, Clayton, of Feeding Hills, Loraine Mulheron and her husband, Zing, of Swanton and Deland, Fla., Real and his wife, Solange of Burlington, Bernard and his wife, Pat, of Swanton and Orange City, Fla.; three sisters-in-law, Virginia Peck of Williston, Agnes Ross and her husband, Carl, of Hudson Falls, N.Y., and Judy White and her husband, Joe of Essex Junction, and several nieces and nephews. Romeo was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur and Ronald Begnoche. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. in St. Mark Catholic Church on North Avenue. Interment will follow in Resurrection Park, South Burlington. Visiting hours will be held Monday, Dec. 26, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. in Elmwood-Meunier Funeral Home, 97 Elmwood Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, Vt. 05445, or to Hospice of the Champlain Valley, 1110 Prim road Colchester, Vt. 05445.