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GOKEY, BYRON W., 83

(by Week of October 1, 2008 - October 01, 2008)
GOKEY, BYRON W., 83, a longtime resident of Richmond and more recently of Waterbury, passed away at Central Vermont Hospital on September 19. Born in Milton on Dec. 8, 1924, he was the son of the late Wilford and Estella (Gabree) Gokey. On Oct. 29, 1965, he married the former Phyllis E. Marchi in New York. Byron attended schools in Johnson and at the age of 17, enlisted with the US Army serving during WWII under Gen. George S. Patton in the European Theatres of Operation. During his enlistment he was a prisoner of war from Feb. 18, 1944 until April 14, 1945, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 17, 1945. As a young man Byron worked for the Parker and Stearns Building Supply Co. in Johnson and later in the Asbestos Mines. Moving to Burlington, he worked as a truck driver for Vermont Structural Steel Co. from which he retired in 1986. He and his wife Phyllis made their home in Richmond from 1967 until this year when they moved to Waterbury. His memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Eagles Club of Burlington. In his leisure time, Byron enjoyed collecting boxing memorabilia, listening to country music and visiting Nashville, Tenn., but most of all he enjoyed his loving family and friends. Byron is survived by his wife of 43 years, Phyllis E. Gokey of Waterbury; three daughters, Susan Burns of Stratham N.H., Kristi Brault of Pensacola, Fla. and Mary Larrow of Waterbury; four sons, Robert Gokey of Essex Jct., Wayne Gokey of Daytona Fla., J. Byron Gokey of South Hero, and Charles Adams of Deer Park, Texas; 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Gokey of Forestville, Conn.; a special nephew Gordon Blaisdell; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by two grandsons, Robert Gokey, Jr. and Bryan Gokey, and a sister, Catherine Blaisdell.