Wilfred Francis Rameau passed away on Friday, April 21 at his home in Woodstock, VT. He was an easy-going man who loved his family and friends and enjoyed the simple things in life. He was 69 years old.


Unique from the start, he was born Friday, February 13, 1948 to Wilfred Joseph and Virginia Rameau in Fitchburg, MA. He was the oldest of 14 siblings. Growing up, he enjoyed playing football and hanging out with his childhood friends – the "West Fitchburg gang" – many of whom he kept in touch with for life.


At age 16, he joined the Navy and did three tours in Vietnam onboard the USS Leonard F. Mason. While his primary role onboard was in cooking and supplies, the Mason was plane guard for attack carriers and secondary pick-up ship for Apollo 9. Willie was trained to rescue astronauts in a shuttle emergency and retrieve downed pilots from a plane crash. This training required jumping from a plane two miles out to sea and swimming back to shore. Among other honors, he participated in a line crossing ceremony during his 11 years of service.


He married Joanna Gosselin in 1970 and welcomed daughter Tracy in 1972 and son Jamie in 1975. He later married Louise McNally in 1986. They moved to Maine in 1987 before settling in Vermont in 1989. Their daughter Heather was born in 1991.

Willie was an honest, hardworking man whose eclectic jobs spanned bartender, custodian, farm caretaker, knife sharpener, accountant, front desk agent, and software customer service. He was a friendly face at the Woodstock Inn for 19 years. He had a thirst for knowledge and was always willing to teach and help others.

Willie loved to travel and saw many beautiful places in his life, including Bermuda, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia. He was a member of the American Legion and the Upper Valley Stamp Club. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps, playing poker with his Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon buddies, and baking treats for everyone to enjoy. He was genuine and kind, and could light up the room with his presence. He made friends everywhere he went. Willie will be deeply missed.


He was predeceased by his parents Wilfred and Virginia Rameau and siblings Donna Townsend, Marie, Gail, David, and Samuel Rameau.

He is survived by his wife Louise Rameau of Woodstock, VT, daughter Tracy Rameau of Fitchburg, MA, son Jamie Rameau of Bridgewater, VT, daughter Heather Rameau and her significant other Dan Mahoney of Washington, D.C., and granddaughter Amber Kucher of Fitchburg, MA.

He is survived by his lifelong friend Joanna Rameau; brothers Donnie, Daniel, and Bruce; sisters Carolyn Lucier, Mary Taufa and her husband Eliesa, Renee Osborne and her husband Ray, Deb Short, and Darlene Volpe; mother-in-law and father-in-law Alice and Francis McNally; sisters-in-law Gail Mariano and her significant other Sid Blanchard, Nina Malone and her husband John; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 2:00PM at the South Woodstock Firehouse in South Woodstock, VT.


Willie's family extends their most sincere thanks to the Veterans Hospital in White River Junction, VT. To honor Willie, memorial donations may be made to the development of the future Fisher House in White River Junction. Fisher House is a comfortable place family can stay while veterans and active duty military members receive treatment at the hospital. For more information, please visit https://www.fisherhouse.org