Larry Gadapee

Larry Ross Gadapee passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024.  He had just celebrated his 80th birthday.  Larry was born on April 11, 1944 to Merle and Doris (Noyes) Gadapee of North Danville.  He was one of four brothers.  He grew up on a farm in North Danville attending school there and then Danville High School.  He met the love of his life, Dianne Brown whom he married in October of 1963.  Together they built a home and raised their family in Danville.  They enjoyed watching their children grow up and attended many sporting events to cheer on their home team. Larry even drove the school bus for many basketball games.  He later served on the board of Selectman for the town of Danville. 

Larry worked in road construction his entire life.  He was a master grader operator, a trade he learned from Gerald Brown, his father-in-law. He owned his own small excavating business for a few years.  He spent the majority of his working years employed by the town of St. Johnsbury Highway Department including serving as the Road Foreman before retirement.   His work in construction earned him a multitude of friends in the form of co-workers, employees, salesmen, and community members.  He carried  fond memories of his work and often told  stories about a road he worked on or an employee he taught to operate a snow plow.  In his retirement he could be seen plowing the sidewalks of Danville after a winter storm.  

Larry loved Vermont seasons and was very tuned in to weather events.  From plowing snow to mud season to summer road repairs he embraced it all with excitement.  In the summer he enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle on those same roads and highways he worked on and maintained.  In the spring he enjoyed tapping trees with his sons and boiling sap at the Gadapee Family Sugarhouse.  

Larry is survived by his three children; Karen Gadapee and partner Steve Rubalcaba of Barre, Kevin and wife Wendy Gadapee of Danville, and Keith and wife Shelli Gadapee also of Danville.  He has 11 grandchildren; Lyndsay and husband James Beattie of Danville, Garrett Calkins and fiance Abby Brunelle of Cumberland RI, Mikayla and husband Nathan Huston of Wooster OH, Logan Calkins of Houston TX, Bianca and husband John Westlund of Kingston MA, Brandyn Gadapee and partner Jess Poulin of Danville, Kyle Gadapee and husband Dylan Thorburn of Lyndonville, Daryn Gadapee and fiance Savannah Stevenson of Danville, Lacey Gadapee of Danville,  Brittany and husband Samuel Terhune of Morrisville and Tyler and wife Christina Fontaine of Essex, VT.  He has 10 great grandchildren.  

Larry will be reunited with many who passed before him.  His beloved wife, Dianne, whom he missed dearly since her passing in 2016 as well as their black lab dog, Maple.  He joins his parents and 3 brothers; Paul, Howard, and Bruce, many sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, as well as extended family and friends.  

Friends and family are invited to remember Larry and offer their condolences on Friday, April 19 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Sayles Funeral Home (525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury).  A private graveside ceremony will be planned for June.  The family wishes to thank friends, caregivers, and Caledonia Home Health and Hospice staff for their support these last months.  Your kindness and compassion for our Dad was amazing and so very appreciated.  

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