HERBERT G. GONYO JR

 WILLISTON – Herbert G. Gonyo Jr. of Williston passed away at his home on May 7, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born Dec. 20, 1928, in Burlington to parents Herbert Sr. and Edith (Chagnon) Gonyo. Herb served in combat in the Korean War for two years. He was a tractortrailer driver for St. Johnsbury Trucking for 30 plus years. He retired in 1988 with a truck driving record of one million miles accident free. He was a lifetime member of Burlington VFW Post 782 and a member of Teamster Retirees Chapter Local 597. He enjoyed his family immensely, playing all kinds of games with them as they grew up. Florida was his destination for 23 years as a “snowbird”. Herb was a large, gentle man of few words, who truly loved his family. He leaves his loving wife of 59 years, Gertrude; his daughter, Jeannette Segale and her husband, Joe Segale, of Huntington; son, H. George Gonyo III and wife, Patricia Gonyo, of Grand Isle; three grandchildren, Isaac Gonyo of Isle La Motte, Carla Fitzgerald and husband, Sean, of Townsend, Mass., and Jillian Aldrich and husband, Greg of Bethel, Maine; and two great-grandchildren, Kloe and Jonah Aldrich. He also leaves his brother, Reginald Gonyo and wife, Martha, of Milton; and sisters, Ruth Shelley of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., Pearl Whitehouse of Burlington, and Rosalie Genest and husband, Joe, of St. George. He also left numerous loving nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and nieces. Herb was predeceased by his parents; his son, James Gonyo; his brother, Leon Gonyo; and sisters, Irene Maskell, Gloria McGrath, Leona Turner, and Bernadette Blow. Many loving people were part of Herb’s care in his last few years of life. Special thanks to Mary George and Denise of the VNA, Matthew Waltersheik of the V.A., Dr. Kathryn Gonzalez, Karen, Salissa, Shelly, Meadow, Heather, Cindy and all the wonderful people of the HBPC program of the Veteran’s Administration. Also remembered with gratitude are other members of the VNA, as well as Joyce Pregent and others of Home Instead. You all lightened the burden of the illness for Herb and his wife. Each of you went above and beyond the calling of your duties. You will never be forgotten. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at 1 p.m. in the St. Pius Church of Essex Center. Interment to follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, donations to the VNA, 1110 Prim Rd, Colchester, VT 05446; or VT Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495 are greatly appreciated. Please remember to visit and thank those veterans who have kept our country free.