BY STEVEN JUPITER
BRANDON—Claire Pate (nee LaPorte) of Brandon wrote in to let us know that Leland B. Parmelee and Gale B. Parmelee, veterans of World War I and the Korean War, respectively, were members of her family. According to Claire, Gale Parmelee was married to her father’s sister and Leland Parmelee was Gale’s father. Additionally, Edwin H. Phelps, who served in World War I, was a relative on the LaPorte side of her family.
Claire sent along the following obituary for Gale, who passed away last year:
Gale B. Parmelee, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2022 surrounded by family in Brandon, VT. He grew up in Brandon and graduated with the class of 1954 from Brandon High School. Following high school, Gale enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return to the States, he attended Vermont School of Agriculture (now Vermont Technical College) in Randolph, VT. He married Elaine LaPorte on February 23,1957. Following a short time dairy farming and breeding cows for Curtiss Breeding Service, Gale would spend most of his working life in the bulk milk hauling business while raising beef cattle to graze the family farmland. He formed Gale B. Parmelee, Inc. and was well known and loved by farmers in Rutland and Addison counties. Gale hauled milk for several major dairies including HP Hood, Seward’s Dairy, and Agri-Mark. He also built a very successful bulk water hauling business that he would transition to full time after stepping back from the milk business in the late 80’s. He formed many wonderful friendships through the water business; he was very fond of his regular customers. Gale had an amazing sense of humor in addition to his incredible work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. He was always there to lend a hand to friends and neighbors.
Thank you, Claire, for helping us understand the lives behind some of the names.
