Obituary of Francis Nelson St. Amour Jr.

Williston – Francis Nelson St. Amour Jr, 67, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019 following a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

Frank was born on November 27, 1951, the son of Francis and Shirley (Vashaw) St. Amour.  He grew up in Burlington and excelled in school.  In 1969, he became the first member of his family to graduate from High School.

Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy.  He was stationed in Keflavik, Iceland and later Jacksonville, FL.  He returned to Burlington and on September 28, 1974, married the love of his life, Paula Jean Fleece.  In June of 1975, he was discharged from the Navy.

Staying local, Frank and Paula started a family in Williston, VT.  Frank was convinced by his late father-in-law, Joseph Fleece Sr. to try the VT National Guard for a year.  21 years later, he retired.  Frank then became employed with the Burlington Police Department, where he spent another 21 years, before retiring in 2016.

Once retired, Frank spent his time making wonderful memories with his wife, children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed road trips, campfires, and trips to the casino.

Frank volunteered for 13 years with the Williston Fire Department.  He enjoyed taking rides on his Gold Wing with Paula holding on to him and riding beside his son John.  One special ride he had was with John to Sturgis, stopping in Deadwood, Mt Rushmore, the Corn Palace and Wal Drugs – where you can still get a cup of coffee for a dime.   The Field of Dreams was the highlight of his trip.  On this ride, he was joined by his good friends Miles and Cathy Silk.  Enjoying time on his bike, Frank joined the Vermont Red Knights Motorcycle Club. 

Frank is survived by his onetime true love, his wife of 44 years, Paula.  He had hoped to share their 50^th anniversary together.  Proud Father to daughter Laura DeGray and her husband Mark of Southwick, MA, and his son John and his wife Audra Dawn of Williston, VT.

Franks favorite name of all was Poppa.  He was blessed to have four loving grandchildren Jacob, Mark, Ethan and Aubree to call him that.

Frank is also survived by his brothers Joseph of Essex and John and his wife Wendy of Milton, by a cousin, who was like a big brother to him, George Morton of Enosburg Falls.  Frank was lucky in life to be survived by an amazing family of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and many many good friends.  He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Raymond and Michael.

Frank was a simple man who loved life and lived it with no regrets – only a few thing he would have done differently, with nothing to make amends.

Frank wanted to thank the hospital and staff including the doctors and nurses in the oncology department at the UVM Medical Center, including Dr. Greenblatt, Janet Ely, Rebecca Marin at Appletree Bay Primary Care, Ann Laramee at Tilly Drive and Natalie Martin, Mary Looney, Joanna Guyette and Jessica Borden of the UVM  Health and Hospice Home Health Care.  To him cancer sucked but they all helped him and his family during this battle.

Please join our family to celebrate Frank at his grave side service to be held at the Deer View Cemetery on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Noon,  where he will be accorded full Military Honors.