Obituary of Curtis A. Jacques

It is with heavy heart that we share with you the passing of Curtis A. Jacques on September 23, 2016 where he passed surrounded by the great love of all of his family. Curtis was born on May 27, 1926 to his late parents Winifred and Grace (Thurston) Jacques in Burlington, VT. He grew up in Jericho and Underhill, VT where he attended school and resided there until he married the love of his life in 1947, Lucienne M. (Legrand). They were married 68 years until her death on September 7, 2015. He enlisted in the U.S Navy serving two years, 1946-1948 and then attended the University of Vermont where he received a B.A. of Science in Agriculture in 1952. He moved to Eagle Point Farm, Derby, Vermont in 1953, where he developed one of the top Holstein Herds in New England. In 1959 he took a position as a Dairy salesman with Blue Seal Feeds moving his family to a 350 acre farm in Westfield, Vermont where they raised their eight children. A farmer at heart, he converted the dairy barns to 18 clay-bottom horse stalls and, as a hobby, became a nationally recognized Morgan Horse Breeder with one of his horses winning the Nationals and one being selected to start the breed with two other horses in England. Passions included beekeeping, large gardens and getting up at sunrise to ‘work the land’. A leader in his community, Curtis became Chairman of the first Union High School in Newport, VT, giving two of his children their high school diplomas. He served on the elementary school board and was a selectman for many years in town government. He was respected by all in his community for his leadership and dedication. In 1974 they relocated to southern NH, permanently making their home in East Kingston where he retired as Director of Sales from H.K Webster Company in 1990. He continued his dedication to town government, enjoyed haying the back 5, and developing a well-known family honey business that brought repeat customers from near and far. He provided the backbone of a great work ethic he gifted to all of his children and grandchildren. He will long be remembered for his steadiness, his loyalty, his pranks, his laugh, and his willingness to assist all with ‘handyman projects’ and advice. He felt blessed to be adopted by his wife’s large family and was truly loved and will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by eight children: John Jacques and wife Deborah , Tucson, AZ ; Jeannette Jacques, Nashua, NH; Suzanne Jacques, Melbourne Beach, FL; Dianne Cook and husband Greg, Rutland, VT; Anne Press and husband Michael, No Name Keys, FL; Curt Jacques and wife Sharon, Lebanon, NH; Dennis Jacques and wife Tami, Lizella, GA, and; Michael Jacques and wife Pauline, East Kingston, NH, and by 22 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Curtis was also predeceased by a sister, Alberta Pritchard and her husband, Donald. He is also survived by his loving wife’s family: brother-in-law, Bernard Legrand, FL, Donald Legrand - wife Jan, VT; and his sister-in-law Gladys LeGrand, VT; and his stepbrother, Ronald and stepsisters, Rita, Lorette, and Doris. In addition he was also predeceased by his sister-in-law, Evelyn Muncy, his brother-in-law, Marcel LeGrand, stepfather Elzear Belval, and step brothers: Gerard, Norman, Roger, and Johnny. He leaves many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 28 at the Minor Funeral Home in Milton, VT from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Celebration of Life and Mass will take place on Thursday, September 29 at 10:00 am at St Thomas Catholic Church in Underhill Ctr., VT. A burial will follow at St Thomas Cemetery, 16-158 Green Street, Underhill, Vermont.