Curtis Gonyaw

Concord, VT: Curtis T. Gonyaw, of Concord, Vt., passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018, at his son, David’s residence in St. Johnsbury at the age of 100.

Curtis was born in Wheelock, Vt. on January 28, 1918, one of nine children, to Fred and Rose (Clifford) Gonyaw. He was educated in local schools graduating from Lyndon Institute, Class of 1936. From 1942 to 1945 during WWII, Curtis served overseas in the Army, Battery A 124th AAA Gun Battalion. He was first stationed in Ireland, then moving to North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany, ultimately arriving at Munich and the Dachau concentration camp. In Italy, he fought in the Battles of Anzio and Cassino. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge in eastern Belgium, northeastern France, and Luxembourg, towards the end of WWII. Following his time in the Army, on May 9, 1947, Curtis married Eleanor Mary Conly.  They shared 65 years together until Eleanor’s death in 2012.  Curtis worked much of his life as a retail store manager for Sears Roebuck & Co. For years the Gonyaw family lived on Mt. Pleasant Street in St. Johnsbury. Curtis and Eleanor also lived for a time in Waterford, Vt. Following Eleanor’s passing, Curtis enjoyed being at his Miles Pond property in Concord, Vt. Curtis is a member of the Grace Methodist Church.

Curtis is survived by three sons: Stephen and wife, Carol, of Concord, Vt., David of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and Michael and wife, Ellen, of West Danville, Vt.; three grandchildren: William C. Gonyaw and wife, Amy, Ashley L. (Gonyaw) Wood and husband, Joe, and Corey A. Gonyaw; and two great-grandchildren: Theodore F. Gonyaw and Kendal J. Wood.

He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor M. Gonyaw, and his eight siblings: Helen J. Hartwell, Leon O. Gonyaw, Harold F. Gonyaw, Bertha M. Wall, Geneva L. Bradley, Ernest C. Gonyaw (age 4 mo.), Mertie I. Corey, and Ralph H. Gonyaw (age 11 mo.).

A Committal Service officiated by Reverend Hyung-Kyu Yi will be celebrated on May 17, 2019 at 3:30 PM at the Lyndon Center Cemetery in Lyndonville, Vt.

Donations can be made in Curtis’ name to Caledonia Home Health and Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT  05819, or Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 4473 Barton Orleans Rd, Orleans, VT 05860.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com