Gerald B. Latulippe

YORK - Gerald B. LaTulippe, 88, of York and formerly of Essex Junction, VT, died at 5:56 pm Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at Country Meadows at Leader Heights. He was the husband of the late Joan Marie (Walker) LaTulippe to whom he had been married for 65 years. Military honors will be presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard at 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion. A viewing will follow until 8:00 pm at which time a prayer service officiated by Father Keith Carroll of St. Patrick Catholic Church, York will begin. A viewing will also be from 9:00 to 10:30 am on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at Ready Funeral Home, 68 Pinecrest Dr., Essex Junction, VT followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors by the Vermont Army National Guard will be at Fort Ethan Allen Cemetery, Essex Junction. Mr. LaTulippe was born April 29, 1926, in Burlington, VT. He was the son of the late Edward and Elmira LaTulippe. He most recently retired after 20 years of service with the Marriott Corporation managing the food services division for colleges in the New England region. He previously retired from the U.S. Military in 1985 after 35 years of service. He began his military career in the U.S. Navy during World War II and proudly served on the aircraft carrier, USS Bennington. He was present as her planes participated in the mass flight over the USS Missouri as General Douglas MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender, ending World War II. His military career concluded in the Army with the rank of Sergeant Major. He received numerous awards and medals for his service including the Legion of Merit, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars and the National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star to name only a few. He was also actively working on establishing a Veteran’s Room at Country Meadows where Veterans could gather to share their experiences. Mr. LaTulippe was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in York. He enjoyed painting contemporary art, a hobby he began at age 85, and many of his works are on display at Country Meadows. Later in life, he also earned his Associates Degree from Columbia College, Columbia, MO. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and also enjoyed growing roses. He is survived by his six sons, Gary and Michele LaTulippe of Red Lion, Stephan and Susan LaTulippe of Burlington, VT, Keith and Brenda LaTulippe of Ashville, NC, David and Donna LaTulippe and Bruce and Cheryl LaTulippe, all of Indianapolis, IN, and Brian and Pam LaTulippe of Hamilton, OH; two daughters, Debra and David Procopio of Burlington, VT and Lise and Joe Ledford of Henderson, NC; 18 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a sister, Yvonne Benedict of South Burlington, VT; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, 2Lt. Mark Procopio and 14 brothers and sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 or online at WoundedWarriorProject.org.