George E. Bouffard ’61
George E. Bouffard, Colchester, VT, died December 30, 2024.
He was raised in Winooski and attended St. Francis Xavier School and Winooski High School, Class of 1957. During College at Saint Michael’s, he was a member of the ROTC Corps and served with the Vermont Air National Guard for nine years post-graduation.
George’s work career began as a high school teacher in Greensboro Bend, VT, and continued at Hinesburg High School before eventually he moved on to the Vermont Department of Labor. There he was an employment and training specialist, and for 38 years was particularly focused on finding great jobs for military veterans.
As a life-long member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Winooski, George was a member of the St. John the Baptist Society (now Catholic Financial Life Insurance), for years. This group worked diligently to provide funds in support of St. Francis Xavier School as well as multiple other Catholic Churches, schools and groups in the greater Burlington/Winooski/Colchester area. Five generations of his family have passed through the St. Louis Convent and its successor, the St. Francis Xavier School.
For many years he worked as a part-time painter, first for a painting contractor in Winooski and then for the former Medical Center Hospital of Vermont where he painted everything from the peaks of UVM Gutterson Field House to the walls of operating rooms. Eventually his painting tasks turned to helping family and friends with their projects, as painting always gave him such great satisfaction.
George enjoyed many outdoor activities in his retirement including camping, gardening, farming, and social walks around the neighborhood. One of his cherished traditions for many years was to pick wild fiddlehead ferns every spring to share with many acquaintances. It was a simple yet meaningful activity that reflected his appreciation for nature and the small pleasures in life. He especially relished attending his grandchildren’s musical performances, sporting and scouting events.
George will be remembered for his kindness and his playful spirit. He had a knack for bringing joy to those around him as a lighthearted instigator of fun. He connected especially well with his grandchildren with playful traditions such as big bear hugs and gentle kitty cat hugs, all with the appropriate animal sound effects. The youngsters always squealed with delight, wrapped in his loving arms.
George’s family was grateful to doctors and staff at Champlain Valley Hematology for treatment that improved his quality-of-life for nine additional years, and later, for the caring UVM McClure-Miller respite teams.
George’s wife of 63 years (and college sweetheart), Jacqueline (Lapierre) Bouffard of Shelburne, VT, survives him. He also is survived by two sons, two daughters, two brothers and a large extended family.
