Rodney Deblois

<p>Rodney Deblois, born October 24,1930, passed away peacefully in Brandon, Fla. on February 27, 2019. Rodney was born in Barre, Vt. to parents Rosario and Alma Deblois. He graduated from Spaulding High School in 1948 and joined the Air Force in 1950, proudly serving in San Antonio, Texas, returning on leave to marry his sweetheart in 1952, Shirley Deblois of Michigan. They both returned to Randolph Field in San Antonio to start their life together. After his discharge in 1954, Rodney and Shirley moved to Barre, working for his father at Deblois and Son Paint Store. Mechanically inclined, his first purchase, repair and resale of a 1931 Model A Ford Roadster at the age of 10. Later he became the owner of the Exxon station in Barre, from 1960 until 1972. Deciding to move South, they then resided in Ruskin, Fla. enjoying their many friends. <br />They purchased Reno Marina, which he ran from 1972 until 1978. Rodney and Shirley loved Maine, and together they built a cottage in Tenants Harbor, spending their summers there. In 1998, they moved to Spruce Head, Maine, which they loved dearly — the Maine life and all their dear friends. They left to move back to Florida in 2009 due to health concerns, always missing Maine where their hearts were. He left a legacy to his daughter and granddaughters: To always work hard, to move forward and cherish life and its many adventures. As he said the last week of his life, “I loved life.” Dad and Mom lived it full of adventure and love of family and friends. <br />Rodney was predeceased on November 7, 2017, by his beloved wife of 65 years Shirley. Survivors are daughter Vicki Scholer and husband Mike, granddaughter India Clark and her daughter from Hawaii, and granddaughter Jaurien Birmingham and her daughter from Georgia.</p>