WALTHAM/VERGENNES – Victor Roland Guyette, 87, died peacefully on September 17, 2021, at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury with his loving family by his side. Roland was born on January 25, 1934 in Troy, VT., the son of Harland and Aline (Richer) Guyette. On April 6, 1961, he married the love of his life, Sandra (Foote), and they made their home in Woodsville, NH.

After graduating from Newport High School in 1953, Roland went on to attend college at Lyndon State, graduating in 1957. Following his graduation, he returned to Newport, where he taught for three years. In 1960, he began teaching at Haverhill Academy, where he met Sandra. In 1967, they relocated to Vergennes, VT., where Roland began his 33-year teaching career, retiring from teaching in 2000.

Roland continued at VUHS in various capacities before full retirement at the age of 85. During his VUHS tenure, he spent 30 years coaching teams that included boys’ and girls’ soccer, basketball and baseball. He also served two tenures as the VUHS Athletic Director. In 1997 he was inducted into the LSC Hall of Fame, and in 2013 he was inducted into the VPA Hall of Fame. Roland also spent 20 of his summers as the Director and lifeguard of the Sam Fishman Pool in Vergennes.

Roland loved his family, first and foremost, dropping anything for them at any given time. Next in line was his service to VUHS where he was a fixture, always going above and beyond. He has touched so many lives and will be missed dearly.

Roland was predeceased by his wife, Sandra; his parents; and his siblings, Arthur, Leo, Anita (Forcier) and Clement. He is survived by his children, Lindy Bessette and husband, Geoff, of Essex Junction; Lori Lumbra and partner, Rob Holwager, of Vergennes; Shelley LaBerge and partner, Erin Paquin, of Vergennes; and Gregory Guyette and wife, Maria, of South Burlington; his beloved grandchildren, Ryne Bessette, Brady Bessette (Sara Tiedemann), Justin Bessette (Lan Vu), Jonathan Bessette (Alexis Coplin), Reid Lumbra (Nicki English), Ross Lumbra (Erin Barch), Alexis LaBerge (Kory Cousino), Reilly LaBerge (Ashley LaBerge), and Mary, Matthew, Rachel, Anna, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Rose, and Andrew Guyette; and great grandchildren Rowan, Charlotte, Konnor, Kole and Raylan.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Addison County Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care they provided to Roland. Special thanks to Caitlin Duval for providing such tender loving care in his final days.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, Oct. 1, from 4-7 p.m. at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes. (Masks will be required at both services regardless of vaccination status.) A private family burial will take place in North Haverhill, N.H., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Roland’s name be made to the VHS Booster Club, Inc., and to be mailed to Peter Maneen, VUHS, 50 Monkton Road, Vergennes, VT 05491. To send online condolences to his family or for those who can’t attend the funeral service can watch the video of the service which will be located on the bottom of the obit please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com. ◊