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- Burlington Vermont Press
February 3, 2004
Kenneth M. Bessette Sr.
KENNETH M. BESSETTE SR. - Williston - Kenneth M. Bessette Sr., 97, of 9139 Williston Road died January 31, 2004, in the Vermont Respite House. Kenneth was born in Charlotte on March 9, 1906, the son of the late Wallace and Gertrude Bessette. He attended Cathedral High School and the University of Vermont. June 30, 1931, he married Margaret Mary Danyow in Vergennes. They enjoyed 65 years together until she was chosen to make heaven a prettier place. He started work as a young boy, delivering Western Union messages and the Burlington Daily News. He also worked as a milk tester, going from farm to farm throughout the state. Ken was ahead of his time. He told his former boss at the Creamery that he would like to put a tank on a truck to haul milk, rather than use milk cans. His boss told him not to mention that to anyone, as they may think it was a crazy idea. Ken traveled throughout the southern states as a tree surgeon. Ken joined Vermont Transit in December, 1929, and he was one of the first drivers who helped organize the company with Bill Appleyard. He held many positions within Vermont Transit and Burlington Rapid Transit. After 50 years of employment, he retired and was called back to be a tour guide. Ken, along with his wife, Margaret, toured from Nova Scotia to Florida, as far west as the Mississippi. The tours included Disney World, Pennsylvania- Dutch Country, Tulip Festival, at Pontiac, Michigan, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington. He enjoyed people and travel and considered himself to have the best job in the world. While traveling the highways and byways, he told stories of when he was on Earth the first time. The stories were popular with the tourists; they always requested more. Following his retirement as a tour guide, Louise Ransom from the Williston Whistle asked him to write a weekly column called "I Remember When." He didn't consider himself a journalist but considered himself a "Broken-Down Bus Driver." For the past ten years, he enjoyed working for Paul and Mary Ann "The Boss" Apfelbaum, with whom he became close friends. Many of Ken's writings are now in the UVM library. His writings consisted of early transportation in Vermont from steamboats to railroad, bus, auto and trucks. In 1956, he purchased 250 acres on French Hill in Williston. Ken intended to create a Vermont tourist village featuring all Vermont-made products; however, his dream was curtailed when Interstate 89 went through, severing his property to a point that was no longer possible. Ken was Master and Past Master of Champlain Valley Grange 400. He was instrumental in the donation of moneys to the Vermont Respite House. He was also Master of Pomona Grange as well as being involved with the National and State Grange. He was currently a member of Beacon Light Grange in Richmond. Ken joined the Knights of Columbus in 1930. He had been active in the Williston Senior Citizens with his lifelong friend, Royal "Joe" Chittenden. Ken was involved with Williston Historical and Chittenden County Historical societies as well as the Folklore Society. He also enjoyed the 251 Club of Vermont. Ken was a life member of the Ethan Allen Homestead and the Shelburne Museum. He was the former owner of Tuckaway General Store, which is in the museum. Ken respected the new growth of Williston and said many times that he thought Williston is the most progressive town in all of northern New England. In honor of his 90th birthday, Louise Ransom had a tree- planting ceremony in Williston Village. Ken enjoyed being Grand Marshal in the Fourth of July parade. He had also been involved in many ribbon-cutting ceremonies. One of Ken's many hobbies was gardening. Everyone enjoyed the beauty of his flowers. Ken enjoyed traveling. He and Margaret toured Europe, Scandinavian countries, Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Bahamas and most of the United States. One of his greatest joys was simply going for a ride. Ken loved going to Hannaford (Food & Drug) to receive many hugs. He was a big influence on his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and neighborhood children. He taught them gardening and how to operate bulldozers and tractors, a chore that some of the granddaughters were reluctant to do. He is survived by his children, Margaret Joyce Fredette and her fiance, Bert Wilson, of Bayonet Point, Florida, and formerly of Rutland, Joan Delaire Johnson and her husband, Lee Ward, of Williston and Port Richey, Florida, and Kenneth Bessette Jr. and his wife, Gayle, of Williston; grandchildren Paula Joyce Gregory and her husband, David, of Rutland, David Fredette and his wife, Mary, of York Beach, Maine, Todd Fredette and his wife, Julie, of Kernersville, North Carolina, G. Scott Delaire and his wife, Lisa, of Williston, Mark Delaire and his partner, Joanne Makhlouf, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jeffrey Delaire and his fiancee, Maggie Harrison, of New Port Richey, Florida, Laurie Gaylord and her husband, David, of Durham, New Hampshire, Susan Halley of Port Richey, Florida, Tammy Hartwell and her husband, Brian, of Williston, Kenneth Bessette III and his wife, Mary, of Colchester, John Johnson and his friend, Karen, and Dan Johnson and his friend, Tanya, of Richmond; great-grandchildren Chad and Justin Gregory of Maine, Addison and Griffin Fredette of Maine, Madison and Chloe Fredette of Kernersville, North Carolina, Reece, Shelby and Lexi Delaire of Williston, Sienna and Desire Delaire and Monique Makhlouf of Las Vegas, Joshua Warren and Brittany Gaylord of Durham, Jeremy Delarie of New Port Richey, Christopher Halley of Port Richey, and Crys and Kristen Hartwell of Williston. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Harold Bessett, Lyle Bessette, Martin Bessette, Ethel Devoid, Marion Ruell, Frances Howard, and two infant sisters. Several years ago, Ken realized that the two infant sisters had no headstones, so he purchased one. He was also predeceased by a great-grandson, Brandon Hartwell. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Respite House or the VNA in his memory. We love you, Dad and Gramp, and we'll always miss you. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, February 3, at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in the spring in East End Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. For directions or to send on-line condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.
February 4, 2004 Williston - BESSETTE, Kenneth Sr. - A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church by the Reverend Donald Ravey. An honor guard was formed by delegations from Williston Fire and Rescue, Burlington Fire Department, and Vermont Transit Lines. Readings were proclaimed by Lay Minster Roger Ross. The offertory gifts were presented to the altar by Ken's great-granddaughters Kristin Hartwell, Chrys Hartwell, and Brittany Gaylord. Music was provided by Linda O'Brien, accompanied by Laura Usher and his granddaughter Mary Bessette. Words of remembrance were shared by Todd Fredette, Mary Ann Apfelbaum, and Marie Thomas. In attendance were many relatives, friends, and members of the Richmond Grange, Williston Senior Citizens Center, Knights of Columbus, and Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. Honorary bearers were Scott Delaire, David Gaylor, David Gregory, and Joshua Warren. Bearers were Kenneth Bessette III, Todd Fredette, Reece Delaire, David Fredette, Brian Hartwell, and Chad Gregory. Interment will take place in the spring in East End Cemetery in Williston. Arrangements were in the care of the Ready Funeral Home, Burlington.
1910 Federal Census of Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont (20 Apr 1910)
Wallace W. Bessett - 29 - M - VT-VT-VT - Head - Farmer
Gertrude M. - 23 - F - VT-VT-VT - Wife
Edward Jr. - 19 - M - VT-VT-VT - Nephew - Laborer Farm
Lyman - 18 - M - VT-VT-VT - Nephew - Laborer Farm
Ethel G. - 5 - F - VT-VT-VT - Daughter
Kenneth W. - 4 - M - VT-VT-VT - Son
Marion D. - 2 - F - VT-VT-VT - Daughter
Frances W. - 1-1/12 - F - VT-VT-VT - Daughter
Edy L. Sturgeon (Widow) - 67 - F - VT-VT-CF - Lodger
Carrie - 11 - F - NH-VT-EN - Niece
1920 Federal Census of Ward 5, Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont (15 Jan 1920)
Wallace W. Bessette - 39 - M - VT-VT-VT - Head - Operator Dry Goods Store
Gertrude M. - 33 - F - VT-VT-VT - Wife
Ethel J. - 15 - F - VT-VT-VT - Daughter
Kenneth M. - 13 - M - VT-VT-VT - Son
Marion D. - 12 - F - VT-VT-VT - Daughter
Francis W. - 10 - F - VT-VT-VT - Daughter
Harold A. - 6 - M - VT-VT-VT - Son
Julius L. - 5 - M - VT-VT-VT - Son
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Bassett Family Association Database
1906 - 2004 (97 years)