Philip Gaboriault

Philip Gaboriault passed away peacefully in his apartment at The Riverglen House in Littleton NH. Friday August 30, 2024. Philip was predeceased by his wife Susan Kinney Gaboriault (2021), and son Michael Gaboriault (2008).

He leaves behind his sons and their families Mitchell J. and Cheryl Gaboriault, Steven and Kimberly Gaboriault, James Gaboriault, Paul and Lisa Gaboriault. Philip has 11grandchildren Mitchell P. Gaboriault, Olivia Garon, Jennifer Gaboriault, Audrey Gaboriault, Logan Williams, Jake Gaboriault, Matthew Gaboriault, James R. Gaboriault, Abby Gaboriault, Steven M. Gaboriault, Kevin M Gaboriault, and great grandchildren Reid & Rory Garon and Kamari Nasta.

Philip was born October 26,1937, the youngest of 8 children into a French-Canadian family in a farming community in Hardwick Vermont. Philip left the farm when he was 17 years old and joined the United State Navy. During his 20-year Naval career as an aviation electronics technician he quickly rose to the rank of Senior Chief (E8). He served in many tactical operations squadrons that participated in operation RED WING (atomic bomb testing) in the Marshall Islands, patrolling the Bering straits with Russia. Shore duty in Tennessee, where he attended college level courses in math and physics applied to electronic engineering analysis and was retained as an instructor,

Philip met Susan B Kinney, the love of his life while on leave at their hometown Hardwick, Vermont. They were married at the Naval Base Millington TN where their first 3 Sons were born in the base hospital. During his sea duty tour with VP-11 Brunswick Maine, their last two boys were born. Then ordered to shore duty to teach College level Math and Physics in the Advance Electronics School. He attended Memphis State University nights to obtain the college credits for the math and Physics he was teaching. His last sea duty assignment was with VP-26 Brunswick ME.

VP-26 was deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella Sicily, at this time Black September Munich Massacre occurred, putting his squadron in full alert causing them to place a P3B Orion on duty in the eastern Mediterranean area with no gaps in coverage for nearly a two-month period. Senior Chief Gaboriault as Maintenance Control Chief coordinated all Maintenance activities to accomplish this task. He was awarded the Navy Achievement medal by the Commander of the Sixth Fleet. The last two years of a colorful 20-year U.S. Navy career was spent assisting in the closing of the Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where he retired from the Navy on July 9, 1974.

Philip and family then moved to Lyndonville VT where he attended Lyndon State College and completed his degrees in Math and Physics. Philip worked at Fairbanks Weighing Division of Colt Industries as a test supervisor. After raising five boys in Lyndonville, VT he then took a job with RCA service US, teaching the Army on its USM-410 testing machine. Eventually moving to Nashua NH where he worked as a Test supervisor for Crossfield Electronics, then as a Test Engineer for Octocom and Telebit. Then he worked for Cisco Systems for fifteen years as a Senior Electronics Test Engineer before retiring.

Phil loved his wife Susan and five boys very much. He spent a lot of time hunting, fishing, and sports with his family. After his retirement, he and Susan enjoyed their summers at Maidstone Lake, Vermont and their winters in Northport, Florida. They loved their family time, hosted many family reunions at the lake and Christmas in July on Cape Cod, MA.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 12pm – 4pm at the VFW in Lyndonville, VT.

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