Leo
A. “Bud” Rouille of South Burlington, Vt., passed away on July
12, 2024, following a long illness.
Bud
was born on September 15, 1936, in Burlington, Vt., the son of John
Oliver Rouille and Beatrice Evelyn Barber Rouille. He was a graduate
of Burlington High School, class of 1955. While at BHS, Bud played
basketball on the school’s regional championship team and played in
the Gold Medal League at the local Burlington YMCA. Growing up in the
Old North End of Burlington, Bud perfected his basketball skills at
the Burlington Boys Club and played baseball and softball at
Roosevelt Park. He was an avid sportsman in his teens.
Following
high school, in 1956, Bud married Sylvia Bourassa and raised their
family of four boys and a girl. He entered the family retail grocery
business in the Old North End, John O. Rouille & Sons Market,
where he managed and grew the family business. During this time, Bud
perfected the art of meat cutting, becoming a master butcher. Bud
continued his career in the retail grocery business, working in
national grocery chains for many years. In 1981, he made a career
move to IBM, starting in the cafeteria, after which he went to
manufacturing, where he became a supervisor until retirement. Bud was
also involved in managing benefit events and activities at St.
Joseph’s Parish, as well as coordinating the weekly bingo.
Bud
married Patricia Perkins in 1996. Together they built a very full and
happy life and enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, a treasured place for
them, as well as other trips around the country.
During
his retirement, Bud volunteered at the Colchester Food Shelf, and for
many years he participated and assisted in the Tour de Champlain
annual bike tour. Bud will always be remembered for his gentle, kind
and generous heart.
Bud
is survived by his children: Jeff Rouille and wife Colleen of
Burlington, Tim Rouille of Tennessee, Dennis Rouille and wife Kim of
South Burlington, and Jennifer Rouille Martin and husband Darren of
Burlington.
Bud
is also survived by his wife of 28 years, Patty, and her children:
Robert Murphy, Shawn Murphy, Kristine Magnant and David Perkins. He
is also survived by his siblings Michael Rouille and wife Janice; and
Patricia Rouille and fiancé Phil Streeter. Bud leaves behind many
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Bud
was predeceased by his parents, John Oliver Rouille and Beatrice
Evelyn Rouille; his son Christopher Rouille; his brother Jack Rouille
and wife Joyce; sister Nancy Baker and husband Russell “Red”
Baker; and Patty’s daughter Nancy Lefebvre.
Calling
hours will be on Friday, July 19, 2024, 4 to 6 p.m., at LaVigne
Funeral and Cremation Service in Winooski. A mass of Christian burial
will be celebrated on Saturday, July 20, noon, at St. Francis Xavier
Church in Winooski, with interment to follow in St. Francis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity
of your choice in Bud’s name.
This article appears in The Cartoon Issue 2024.