Leo J. Bessette Sr.

[ Originally published on: Monday, November 23, 2009 ]

ORANGE -- Leo J. Bessette Sr., 81, of 145 Fairman Road, passed away Friday night, Nov. 20, in the company of his loving companion, Ellie Plant, following an illness.

Born in Brattleboro, Vt., on July 7, 1928, he was a son of the late Alfred and Beatrice (Monmaney) Bessette and attended school at St. Joseph's in Burlington and St. Michael's in Brattleboro.

At age 16, he went to work for the Central Vermont Railroad in Brattleboro and became Section Foreman of the Southern Division, transferring to Belchertown, Mass., in 1949.

Leo's employment with CVRR was interrupted when he joined the United States Army on May 23, 1951, and served in the 987th AFABN during the Korean Conflict. Leo was honorably discharged on Feb. 23, 1953 and returned to the CV Railroad for 33 years, retiring in 1977.

Shortly before retiring, he bought the former Frank's Café on South Main Street, Orange, and he and his wife Rena operated the business under the name ''Rusty Rail'' from 1977 until they sold it in 1986.

Leo and his family lived in Belchertown until 1962, when they moved to Orange where he built a home on Lake Mattawa. He and his family and friends enjoyed many good times at the lake, especially water-skiing and Leo enjoyed teaching 32 people to water-ski. Memories of all those good times have always remained dear to Leo's heart.

Throughout the years, he built four other homes in the Lake Mattawa area, and he enjoyed the hard work of preparing rough land into building lots, an area affectionately referred to by family and friends as ''Leoland.''

He was a member of American Legion Post No. 172 in Orange, a lifetime member of the Wheelerville Community Club in Orange, and the VFW Post in Belchertown. Leo also was a member of the CVRR Veterans' Association, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, and the Orange Senior Center. He enjoyed trips with the seniors, down to Foxwoods occasionally.

Survivors include his children, Francis D. King III, Kevin Bessette and his wife, Elaine, Robert Bessette Sr., and Donna (Bessette) Ryder; seven grandchildren, Robert Jr. and Kyle Bessette, Kelly and Courtney Ryder, Sandrah (King) Fager, Francis D. King IV, and Alison King; eight great-grandchildren, Skyleigh and Kendra Ryder, Patrick, Eric, Rory and Molly Fager, Ayla King, and Aiden King; a sister, Beatrice Lewis of Williamstown, Vt.; and his beloved companion, Ellie Plant of Orange.

Leo was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Rena (Dodge)(King) Bessette, son Joey, and a daughter-in-law, Charlene King.

There will be a calling hour from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange.

A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at the funeral home, with Fr. William Lunney of St. Mary's Church in Orange officiating.

Interment in South Cemetery, Orange, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.

Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange, is directing the arrangements.

Guest book and directions are available at www.wittyfuneralhome.com

 

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