BurlingtonPol 2010-2015

Antonio B. Pomerleau - September 28, 1917-February 8, 2018 - A Life Too Short

BURLINGTON - It is especially hard to describe Antonio “Tony” Pomerleau with mere words alone. His accomplishments, generosity, dedication to his community, and love for his family are well known to those who knew him and even to those who did not have that delightful pleasure.

Our entire family is broken hearted over the passing of a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather but we look to celebrate his life - a life well lived to the absolute fullest. He was 100 years old, yet to us his extraordinary life was not nearly long enough.

A kind-hearted man, iconic businessman, philanthropist, story teller, and the best husband and father that ever existed passed from this world, after a short illness, on February 8, 2018. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 71 years, Rita, and three generations of adoring family into the awaiting arms of his beloved and precious daughters, Ellen and Anne Marie.

Tony was the youngest of three children and was born in Marbleton, Quebec on September 28th, 1917, to parents Alma and Ernest Pomerleau. The family eventually settled in Newport, VT, a town that remained in his heart forever. Family was everything to Tony. In 1945 he moved to Burlington where he subsequently married the stunningly beautiful and intelligent Rita Murphy, a registered nurse whom he had met when she was caring for his sister Ida in Arvida, Quebec. Rita Murphy Pomerleau was the love of Tony’s life and they were devoted to each other. Together, Tony and Rita raised a family of ten children. While Tony was building a business empire, Rita manned their other “empire” of ten children. From summers on Appletree Point, to his famous Christmas decorations every December, to the winter get-a-way at the Sea View Hotel in Bal Harbour, Florida, to his beloved floating office, his boat “Paradise Found”, Tony and Rita’s family celebrated their lives together in exciting and fun ways. Tony and Rita loved to travel and ventured around the world taking six week tours of Europe, traveling from Great Britain to Scandinavia, to Greece, Morocco and beyond. They particularly enjoyed sailing back on the RMS Queen Mary where black tie was required every evening. On the complete flip side of their travel style, many other travels found them with all ten children in tow. One such trip had Dad driving a Winnebago for a tour of Canada with children hanging in the rafters while mom tried to keep up with food and laundry. Everyone still talks about that trip! Other countless trips included Volkswagen bus journeys to Story Land and Frontier Town, or “group ticket rate” flights to Florida or Mexico, or dragging us behind him on maple sugaring sleds while he manned the draft horses. Times with Rita and Tony in Bal Harbour, Florida are renown and some of the best family time we ever had.

Tony came from humble beginnings but grew up in a family full of love and belief in a strong work ethic. He used this work ethic, relentless energy, shrewdness, and creative thinking to achieve impressive success. As a young boy in Newport he would display a natural talent as an entrepreneur—from window dressing and car washing to trading and bargaining—talents that would eventually make him legendary amongst the business communities throughout Vermont and New England. Tony’s talents and instincts were enormous, and he was a visionary like no other. A foray into the grocery business combined with an offer to get into the new “motel” business soon led to the innovative idea of creating a cluster of retail businesses joined together in the same location outside of a city center—with parking right outside the door. With the opening of the Ethan Allen Shopping Center on North Avenue in February of 1955, his idea came to fruition, and a retail empire was born. Tony’s business accomplishments are well known - establishing a large insurance agency in the early 1950’s and lucrative Real Estate Business with this oldest son Ernest. Tony loved “the deal” and thrived on building both shopping centers and relationships with his tenants and colleagues. “You never go broke by taking a profit” and “Success is the timing of everything” are just two of his most beloved phrases. The world’s greatest Mentor has now left the business in the capable management hands of his son, Ernest Antonio.

Financial success in and of itself, however, was not enough for Tony. He then turned his immense talents to philanthropy giving back to those less fortunate than himself. Countless children and adults have benefited from his generosity, determination, business talent, and big heart. He believed in supporting Vermont-based initiatives and literally thousands of Vermonters have been touched by Tony Pomerleau without even knowing it. He created and continuously endowed The Antonio and Rita Pomerleau Foundation and made large noteworthy gifts in the millions of dollars to the YMCA, the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, St. Michael’s College, the Burlington Boys and Girls Club, and post Hurricane Irene donation to recover mobile homes that had been lost. Tony unfailingly and steadfastly provided his annual Holiday parties for over 30 years to provide hot meals and a respite to struggling families across the state. The Burlington Police Department always held a warm spot in his heart and he was so proud to have the building bear his name. He was also supremely proud of his support of the Vermont National Guard and their families, and he wore the honorary “Green Mountain Boy” medals he received with such pride. He has requested he be interred with the medals the National Guard has bestowed to honor him over the years. Hundreds more organizations have benefited from Tony and Rita’s generosi¬ty and will continue to benefit from their Foundation even beyond their lifetime. His generosity had no boundaries. From giving rides on his boat to schoolchildren (and surprising them all with pizza, ice cream, and a ten dollar bill) to providing motorcycles and computers to the police, Tony loved helping people and it gave him great joy.

Tony cultivated numerous long lasting friendships over his lifetime enjoying wonderful, laughter-filled adventures from fishing trips to northern Quebec to sailing journeys down the intercoastal on his boat “Paradise Found”. The jokes, card games, story telling, and betting would never end. His friends loved him and he loved them. His best friend Dr. Ben Trottier was a daily cribbage partner to the very end. We will so miss the gales of laughter “You’re cheating!!” and “you won again Tony!!” arising from the downstairs den. Ben, and passed friends Bob Orth, Dr. Brian Riggie, and Dr. Phil Lavoie, together made the famous Hollywood “Rat Pack” look tame. What fun they had together! What joy they brought to Tony’s life.

His Catholic Faith was central to his life. Tony was a devout and constant Roman Catholic serving as altar boy in his very young years at churches in the Newport area, attending Catholic schools, and then graduating from St Charles Seminary with a business degree. Throughout his entire life, he continued to contribute and serve in the Knights of Columbus, in the local Catholic Churches and schools, as well as those in the Newport area. Every Sunday Rita and Tony would lead their “Sunday-Best dressed” children down the aisle of Christ the King Church, where dad then volunteered every week to do the collections.

Education was of utmost importance to dad. He was very proud of providing support in sending his children and grandchildren to college and universities. When getting their kids ready for college, Mom got all of our supplies ready and both of them drove us to college and unpacked all our stuff—all ten of us. Throughout all of these journey and adventures, Dad, along with mom, created memories that will last our lifetimes. He loved us deeply and would do anything for his wife and his kids. Anything. With Tony and Rita’s love and support there are at least 30 undergraduate, graduate, and Doctoral degrees among their children and grandchildren, Now, the college assistance program started by The Rita and Antonio Pomerleau Foundation to the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington will increase that number for countless Vermonters.

Tony needed all of those 100 years of age to squeeze in all of his accomplishments.

Above all, Tony as a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather is how his memory will be preserved forever. His last words spoken on this earth were to one of his children. Those words were “Give me a hug”. Dearest, Tony, Dad, Daddy-boy, Papa, - we will miss you more than words could ever say. You are our hero, our model, our best friend and we will love you forever.

Tony is survived by his extraordinary wife of 71 years, the indomitable Rita Murphy Pomerleau; his devoted children: Ernest Pomerleau and wife Dee, Patricia Pomerleau, Elizabeth Pomerleau Mays and husband Thomas, Susan Pomerleau Corery and husband Daniel, Dennis Pomerleau, Rosemary Pomerleau and fiancé Giovanni Bonomi, Alice Pomerleau Waxler and husband Brian, and Grace Pomerleau; his Loving grandchildren: Alexis Pomerleau Bryant and husband Jeff, Terrence Pomerleau and his financée Natalie Garrand, Jessica Pomerleau and her fiancé Jameson Halnon, Ellen Waxler McGinnis and hus¬band Ryan, Drew Waxler, Madeline Waxler Howard and husband Christopher, and Olivia Waxler, Caroline Rita Mays, Lauren Mays, Alexandra Mays, Charlotte Mays, and Frank and Catherine Corkery. Lastly but certainly not least, his very special and much loved great grandchildren, Spencer Antonio Bryant and Sullivan McGinnis.
Besides his immediately family, Tony leaves behind nieces and nephews: Macelle Pomerleau Leahy and husband Patrick, Sylvia Bushnell McCormick and husband Edward, Rene Pomerleau, and Rev Claude Pomerleau. Tony was predeceased by his brother Philip and sister Ida. Tony was like a second father to all of his numerous nieces and nephews from both his and Rita’s family
Special thanks to the compassionate caregivers that Tony had hired to care for his beloved Rita, who also provided superb and loving care during dad’s recent illness: Angel Kirouac, Danielle Savard, Morgan Lentine and Justine Atutor. In addition, we want to thank Dr. Frank Landry for his compassionate and concerned care. Particular thanks must go to to his steadfast financial assistant, Sharon Brassard, who met with dad every day and kept his countless projects in order. Lastly, our deepest gratitude the incredible team at Pomerleau Real Estate.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Michael’s College Chapel 11am Tuesday February 13, 2018. One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT.
A reception for the Celebration of The life of Tony Pomerleau will follow immediately after the funeral Service at Saint Michael’s College’s Ross Sports Center. All who attend the funeral are invited and welcomed to attend the reception.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to one of Tony’s favorite charities would be especially appreciated: Chittenden County Humane Society, 142 Kindness Court, So. Burlington, VT 05403; The Boys and Girls Club of Burlington, 62 Oak St., Burlington, VT 05401; or, The VNA Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Antonio Pomerleau, please visit our Tribute Store.