WEST DANVILLE – Garey Ronald Larrabee,78, of West Danville, passed away peacefully at the Northeastern Vermont Hospital in St. Johnsbury surrounded by family on Friday, January 19, 2024.
He was born on Oct. 26, 1945, in Hardwick, the youngest of nine children born to Earl and Ethel (Hall) Larrabee.
After graduating from Hardwick Academy in 1963, he attended Champlain College, and Lyndon State College. Garey served in the United States Navy, attached to the First Marine Division, 1965 to 1973. He married Jane Hastings of West Danville in 1970. In 1976, Garey and Jane took over general management of Hastings Store from Jane’s parents Ralph and Mabel, thus ushering in the store’s third generation of ownership. Garey worked, for many years, as a clerk in the West Danville Post Office, with his father-in-law, Ralph Hastings as postmaster. In 1993, he became the postmaster for West Danville. Retiring from the post office in 2015, Garey had nearly five decades of service to his country, in one form or another.
Garey was a long-time member of the West Danville United Methodist Church. He was also a long-time member of the Danville Knights of Pythias, as well as the Joe’s Pond Association, and the West Danville Community Club.
Survivors include brothers Richard (Terri) and Dennis (Betty) Larrabee; Garey’s two children Curtis Larrabee and his wife, Cristin Ashmankas of St. Johnsbury, and Jenny (Larrabee) Rafuse and husband James of West Danville, grandchildren Caleigh, Connor and Cordelia Larrabee, Alyssa, and Ava Rafuse, in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
Garey was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Jane. He was also predeceased by his parents Earl Larrabee and Ethel (Hall) Larrabee; brothers, Robert, Earl, Lawrence, and James; sisters: Shirley (Larrabee) Brochu, and Patricia Larrabee; and grandson Celestus Larrabee.
In life, Garey lived believing the way to happiness was through service to those in, and passing through, his community. He believed friendship was an essential ingredient in life, and strove to make benevolence, kindness, generosity, and tolerance a reality in his daily life. Above all, Garey placed home and family at the top of his priority list.
Private Graveside Services will be held later at the convenience of his family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the West Danville Methodist Church, P.O. Box 55, West Danville, VT 05873-0114, Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, P.O. Box 114, Danville, VT 05828-0114 or to the West Danville Community Club, P.O. Box 6, West Danville, VT. 05873.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are welcomed at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com
