Final Salute

Gary E. Alberts, 72 of Colchester was at home when he passed away into God’s graces on May 7, 2022 after a year-long battle with metastatic prostate cancer.
Gary was born in Burlington, VT on February 28, 1950 to Charles and Anna Alberts. As a Burlington High School graduate he started a long and successful career in the U.S. Navy, as a Seaman recruit when he enlisted in 1967. After bootcamp, Gary transferred to the Navy Seabees and along with the NMCB 5 completed one tour in Vietnam. He retired from the Navy in 1998 as part of the NMCB 27 and was a proud Seabee so much that he hosted a Seabee reunion at his home every year.
Gary worked at General Electric in Burlington until he left to pursue his own business, A&G Seamless Floors, installing epoxy floors throughout VT, parts of NH, and NY.
He loved to fish in Lake Champlain with friends and family from a young age to present, but also enjoyed the quiet time alone listening to the peaceful water. After many years on the lake, last October Gary landed a once in a lifetime lunker, a largemouth bass weighing in at 7lbs. Along with his love for the lake, his retirement included spending much time puttering and building projects in his wood workshop.
Remaining to cherish Gary’s memory are his loving wife of 50 years, Patricia (Gentes) Alberts, daughters, Joanna Alberts and life partner Becky Hemingway of Essex, Heather Burritt and husband Adam (who was like a son) of Hinesburg and beautiful grandsons Ty and Ryan Burritt, his sisters Judy Mills (Alabama) Shirley Hawley (Milton) and brother Charles (Chuck) Alberts (Essex), in-laws Albert Gentes (Susan), Jo-Ann Blow (Edwin), Vilas Gentes (Mary), Shela Marcelle (Wayne) and Rose Bacon as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, sister Terri Varin, sister-in-law Doris Alberts, in-laws Vilas and Josephine Gentes and nephews John Baker and Alan Gentes. Special thanks to Heather, Joanna, Becky, Shirley, Adam and UVM Home Health & Hospice for the help with keeping him home until the end.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to UVM Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd, Colchester, VT 05446; the Lake Champlain Committee, 208 Flynn Ave, Bldg 3 Studio 37, Burlington VT, 05401; or the charity of your choice.
Gary’s family will receive friends on Sunday May 15, 2022 from 5:00-7:00pm at Ready Funeral Home Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Church, 784 Main St, Colchester, VT on Monday May 16, 2022 at 11:00am, followed by burial at Fort Ethan Allen Cemetery, Colchester. A reception will be held at the American Legion in Colchester immediately following. Please consider wearing masks to the indoor functions in regard for others.
To his Seabee buddies – always remember “Seabees Can Do” so keep the light shining!
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary, please visit our floral store.
Published by Ready Funeral Service, Inc. – Mountain View Chapel on May 10, 2022.