WESTFORD - Leon J. Gilbeau, 75, of Plains Road, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Aug. 13, 2012, in Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

Leon was born April 18, 1937, in Lowell, the son of the late Edward and Lola Bennett Gilbeau.

He attended schools in South Burlington and then went to work for the Pepsi Cola Company in Burlington for a few years.

On June 4, 1955, Leon married Phyllis Richards in Essex Junction.

Enjoying mechanical work, Leon went to work for Robinson's Garage at the five corners in Essex. He went on to master the trade of fork lift repair, working for Syracuse Supply and Rushmore Webber, before starting his own fork lift repair company, Mobile Lift Repair, where he worked until retiring in 1998. At this time, he and Phyllis moved into an apartment attached to the home of his daughter and son-in- law, Vicky and Mike Broe, on the Plains Road. A man who loved the outdoors, Leon enjoyed snowmobiling and hunting as well as entertaining in his garage. A follower of both the Red Sox and Yankees, Leon loved sports. However, the most important times in his life was the times spent with his loving family, all of whom will truly miss him.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Westford; their children, Leo Gilbeau of South Burlington, Sandy Bessette of St. Albans, Vicky Broe and her husband, Mike, of Westford, Steven Gilbeau and his wife, Patty, of Westford, Debbie Fowler and her husband, Leo, of West Rutland and Leon Gilbeau of Hinesburg; his grandchildren, Jamie, James, Steven Jr., Danielle, Adam, Michelle, Matthew, Molly and Justin; six great-grandchildren; his daughter-in-law, Julie Gilbeau of Fairfax; his sisters, Jean McEntee and Shirley Wilford, both of Burlington; brother-inlaw, Leo Rich and his wife, Pat, of Essex; and sister-in- law, Patricia Arellano and her husband, Al, of North Carolina.

He was predeceased by his son, Randy Gilbeau, on July 5, 2003; and many brothers and sisters.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, at 10 a.m. in the Minor Funeral Home, Route 7 in Milton with Reverend Elizabeth Griffin officiating.

Burial will follow in the family lot at Sanderson Corners Cemetery in Fairfax.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.minorfh.com.


Published in The Burlington Free Press on August 15, 2012