Paul Guilmette

Paul Edward Guilmette, age 79, passed away peacefully in his home in Fairfax, Vermont with his wife Valerie by his side.

Paul was the first child born on August 29, 1946, to Leo and Helen (Wright) Guilmette. Paul grew up in South Burlington and graduated from Rice Memorial High School in 1964. He was a skilled piano player and, during high school, played in a local band called the Moonbeams.

After high school, he attended Wentworth College where he earned his associate’s degree.

After graduation Paul joined the Army National Guards where he was a helicopter mechanic and rose to the rank of First Sergeant to the Adjutant General. He served for 22 years and was the crew chief for the first Huey helicopter flown in Vermont. While part time in the Guards, Paul was an airplane mechanic for Northern Airways in Burlington.

In the early 1980s, Paul started working for IBM where he worked in the waste treatment facility until his retirement in 2006. After he retired, he and his wife, Valerie, moved to the Cayman Islands where he worked as a Construction Engineer for a construction firm. During this time, he and Valerie enjoyed traveling to nearby places in the Caribbean and Central America.

After returning to Vermont, he fully enjoyed his retirement. He participated in many fishing and hunting trips in Canada and the U.S. He formed new friendships and enjoyed these adventures immensely.

Paul was highly skilled with his hands and had a sharp mechanical mind. There was very little he couldn’t fix. He loved spending his time setting up irrigation systems in his yard combined with gardening, cultivating fruit trees, blueberry bushes, etc. He enjoyed any task where a challenge was involved. In his late 60s he even started creating intricate welded sculptures!

What can be remembered about Paul is his kindness and gentleness. This was on full display when his grandchildren entered his life. He absolutely loved spending time with his grandkids!

He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother, Gary Guilmette.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie, his sons, Zack Guilmette and wife Jen, and Nate Guilmette and wife Nan. He is also survived by his stepchildren Carla Wallace and husband Andy and Rob Driscoll and wife Kristen. He leaves behind three beloved grandchildren.

There will be a service for him at St. John Vianney in South Burlington on 5/22 at 11:00 with a reception to follow.