NAPLES , FL – André Albert Rocheleau, age 93, passed away from heart failure on September 23, 2019, at his home.  His loving family was by his side.

Andy, as he was known to his friends, was born in Swanton, Vermont on August 2, 1926. He was the son of the late Aldege Joseph Rocheleau and the late Emilia Moreau Rocheleau.

In 1944 Andy was enrolled in St. Anne's Catholic High School in Swanton, VT, when he was drafted to fight in WW II. His fluency in both French and English served him well through his life, including during a stint as translator for the U.S. Army in Paris.  Upon receiving his honorable discharge from service in 1946, Andy attended St. Michael's College in Colchester, VT on the GI Bill where he graduated in 1950 with honors in Business Administration.  He went on to work for International Harvester in Connecticut and New York.

In 1954, Andy moved to White River Jct., Vermont, where he co-owned Hartford Motors, a Chrysler, Plymouth and International Harvester dealership, with his partner and best friend Peter ("Pete") Flanagan.  Andy and Pete retired from the car business in 1990.

Andy and Pete also invested in local commercial real estate, forming Hartford Land Company in 1989.  Andy managed the company for many years before control passed to the Rocheleau and Flanagan children. Andy and his family sold their share of the company to the Flanagan family in 2019.

In 1955, Andy met Stella Neville of Montreal, Quebec. They married on May 25, 1957, at St. Kevin's Catholic Church in Montreal. Andy and Stella settled in White River Junction, VT, where they started their family.  They celebrated over 60 years of marriage together before Stella's death from melanoma on March 7, 2018.

Andy was active in his family, church, and community. Although he worked six days a week at the car dealership, he always made it a point to have dinners with his family and cheer on his grandchildren at games and performances. He participated as a parishioner of St. Anthony's parish in White River Junction, where he was an active member in the Knights of Columbus, taught catechism, and served as a eucharistic minister.  Andy was also an active member of the Elk's Club, the American Legion and the Town of Hartford Planning Commission.  He was always a gentleman and loved listening and learning about every person he met.  He was quick to make friends and enjoyed following current events and the stock market.

In 1994, Andy and Stella moved to St. Albans, VT, where they spent their summers entertaining family and friends at their home on Lake Champlain. In 1996, they made Naples, Florida, their permanent residence and winter home.

In Vermont, Andy enjoyed hunting with family and friends at Eagle Ledge, the hunting camp the Rocheleau family shared with the Flanagan family in Vershire.  He was also an avid fisherman, spending many hours on Lake Champlain and at the Lake Mitchell Trout Club in Sharon. In Florida, Andy was an avid golfer and tennis player. He also volunteered in his retirement community at the Bentley Village thrift shop.

Andy is survived by son Dale Rocheleau and his wife Michelle of Colchester, VT, granddaughter Simonne (Rocheleau) Morin and her husband Charles Morin of Medford, MA,  granddaughter Nicole Rocheleau and grandson Ryan Rocheleau of Colchester, VT; son David Rocheleau and his wife Elizabeth and granddaughter Emma Rocheleau of Lexington, SC; daughter Patricia (Tricia) Harper, granddaughter Lauren Harper and grandson Liam Harper of Waterbury, VT and step granddaughter Katherine Harper Polo of Savannah, GA; son Michael Rocheleau and his wife Cindy, and grandson Tristin Rocheleau of Georgia, VT.

Andy is also survived by his sister Irene Casey, wife of the late Kenneth Casey of DeLeon Springs, Florida; sister Edna Casey and husband Mark of DeLeon Springs, Florida; and sister Yvonne Fradet, wife of the late Victor Fradet, of Deland, Florida. Andy was predeceased by his brother, the late Roland Rocheleau, husband of Marie Rocheleau of Orange City, Florida, and his sister, the late Janet Forsyth, wife of Thomas Forsyth of Swanton, Vermont.

On Stella's side of the family, Andy is survived by his sister-in-law Robina MacIsaac of Ottawa, Ontario, wife of the late Neil MacIsaac.  He was predeceased by his brother-in law D'Arcy Neville and his wife Kathleen (Kay) of Philipsburg, Quebec; and brother-in-law Edward Neville and wife Aurore of Chateauguay, Quebec.

Many special nieces and nephews, whom Andy adored, survive Andy.  Very dear friends Randy Kinne of N. Clarendon, VT, Bonnie Briggs, Mary Ellen Flanagan and their respective children of White River Junction, VT, and Margaret Wilmott and Susan Sterner of Naples, FL also survive him.

A funeral mass for Andy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on November 2, 2019 at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in White River Junction with burial following at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilder.

Both Andy and Stella battled cancer during their lives. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Andy's name to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495.