Leo Alfred Gadouas

Leo was a longtime member of the St. Albans, Vermont community. He attended Holy Angels School and worked for many years for the local newspaper, The St. Albans Messenger; first as a paperboy and, after graduation, as a pressman and production supervisor. On September 27, 1958, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Brouillette. Leo was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he attended printing school.

Upon his return to St. Albans, Leo resumed his career at the local newspaper. He loved the printing business and took great pride in the daily challenge of getting the paper out. In 1982, he retired from the St. Albans Messenger to begin a new chapter as an entrepreneur, opening his own commercial printing business, LG Printing. In 1983 Leo and Betty purchased the Fonda Outlet Store (later called Papertime), which they ran for 12 years.

During the summer, Leo enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the camp he and Betty built at St. Albans Bay. Many happy memories were made with his nieces and nephews as the camp was being built and for many years afterward. He also enjoyed bowling on the LG Printing team with his brother, nephew, son-in-law, and friends, as well as taking trips to Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox games.

After retirement, Leo and Betty became snowbirds and spent their winters in Venice, Florida, residing at the Bay Indies resort community. His family jokingly referred to him as “Mr. Florida” because he embraced the Florida lifestyle so fully. He was a Bay Indies champion horseshoe and billiards player, as well as an avid bowler. While in Venice, he enjoyed working on the committee that produced the annual St. Albans Vermont Day in Florida.

Sadly, Betty passed away on August 13, 2009.

While at Bay Indies, Leo made many friends and met Janis Lahaie, who became a very special person in his life. Together, Leo and Jan traveled the world and created many wonderful memories.

Leo will be remembered for his devotion to his family. He enjoyed the company of his grandchildren and often expressed how proud he was of them. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him, and his legacy of hard work, kindness, humor, and love of family will live on in the many lives he touched.

Leo is survived by his son, Aaron Gadouas, and his wife, Fiona Rosenthal; his daughter, Jane Coon, and her husband, Richard; his partner, Janis Lahaie; his grandsons, Brendan Ryan and his wife, Danielle, and Galen Ryan and his wife, Gabriella, who are expecting Leo’s first great-grandchild in August; his step-granddaughter, Madelyn Coon; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Gadouas; his son-in-law, Michael Ryan; and his siblings, Ernest Gadouas, Armand Gadouas, and Ida Gosselin.

No funeral service will be held. A celebration of life will take place at the Bay Indies at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478, or to a non-profit of your choice.