Cover photo for Louis A. Vandenburg's Obituary
Louis A. Vandenburg Profile Photo
1937 Louis 2024

Louis A. Vandenburg

July 17, 1937 — June 29, 2024

Rutland

With sadness we announce that Louis A. Vandenburg passed on June 29, 2024. The world isn’t quite as bright since his light went out and his big spirit left this world.  His whole family is grateful for the 86 years he was on this earth.

Lou was born on July 16, 1937 in River Hebert, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Mabel and Charles Vandenburg. He grew up one of six children in a tiny coal mining town.  He left Canada as a teenager and came to Vermont to work for a tree service.  He didn’t know anyone in the United States and only had about $20 to his name, but Vermont quickly became his home.  He worked at a number of places throughout his life including GE for 10 years and at Killington Resort for approximately 15 years.

Lou was a very talented and extremely smart man. He could fix anything. He was always helping someone out working on their house, or working on their cars, or helping with yardwork. He was an extremely generous man who never hesitated to help others. And they knew they could count on him.

If you met Lou he most likely left you with a smile on your face! Lou was a people person and his family and friends brought the greatest joy. Everyone loved him.  When he met someone he was so charismatic, funny, and charming.  He was well known for cracking jokes and telling you exactly what he thought of you or the situation. The good, the bad, and the ugly!  You always knew where you stood with him.  If he was giving you grief you knew that he liked you!  He wasn’t jealous of others and never wanted for things.  He was content with a great slice of fresh bread and a good bowl of stew or soup.

Lou so loved his family!  He was a great father. Some of the best times were when he was around his children. When his children were young he went skiing with them, took them boating and water skiing at the lake, taught them how to plant a garden, and taught them how to make his famous cream of mushroom soup and clam chowder.

He loved being out in his garage and working on cars. Usually he had an audience or “helpers” who had no clue what they were doing.  He taught them though and there are a lot of people who learned how to fix a car by hanging around Lou’s garage. This includes his own children who can always hear when a car doesn’t sound right!

Lou loved riding his John Deere tractor and mowing. He also loved his cigars, summer, a tomato he picked from his garden, and sitting in the sunshine on the deck with his dog, Molly, surrounded by family and friends.  He was usually up for an adventure. At 84, he traveled back home to Nova Scotia in an RV motorhome with his kids and he had a great time!

Lou will be profoundly missed.  He is survived by his wife, Lucinda Vandenburg, his daughter Susie and son-in-law Mark LaPlante, his daughter Lois Baldwin and partner, Warren Kelley, his daughter Theresa and son-in-law Bruce Barrows, his son Louis Vandenburg, Jr. and partner Veronica Cote.  He is survived by one sister, Mary Legere of Amherst, Nova Scotia, his grandchildren Casey Renner, Rachael Vandenburg, Mariah Barrows and Grace Barrows, five great-grandsons and many nieces and nephews.  He has also survived by his good friends, Joe and Jess Mero, who provided so much care, love, and comfort to him in his final years.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his grandson Nathaniel Vandenburg, his siblings Charles, Lillian, Ernest, and Lloyd, and sister-in-law Ella Vandenburg and brother in law Tom Legere.

Lou’s family would like to thank the many people who helped take care of him these last couple years. Without your help he would not have been able to stay in his home for his final days. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Joe, Jess, Beth, Carol, Brownie, Dewey, Tabitha, and Bob.  To the many others, too numerous to mention, who provided support, we wish to thank you as well.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 11th, from 4:00 to 6:30 at the Rutland VFW on Wales Street.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Louis A. Vandenburg, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 0

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree