Essex Junction

Albert Francis Stevens, age 91, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2023 at the UVM Medical Center.

Al was born in Colchester, VT in July 1932. He was the son of Anthony and Juliet (Boyer) Stevens of Essex Jct. Al was a lifelong resident of Essex Junction, graduated from UVM on a football scholarship and served in the Army for 4 years. Al married his loving wife, Doris Daigle from Winooski in 1956. He started working for his parents, then transitioned to real estate, where he started his own real estate company, and continued to be active in this company until the week before passing. Al served as an Essex Junction Village Trustee and was a former Lion's Club member.

Al loved sports, especially the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics. He sponsored a men's softball team for years, and played tennis 6 days a week, up until his 80's. He played basketball in several National Senior Games, to include playing in Louisiana. Doris and Al started taking their winter vacations to Winter Haven, Fl., where the Red Sox had their spring training camp. Al would spend the whole day watching these games. Ted Williams (Red Sox) noticed Al's dedication in watching their training and invited Al to play a game of tennis with him. Al always said this was his best tennis game ever.

Al and Doris then ended up as snowbirds on Fort Myers Beach for the last 30 years. Al loved driving his pontoon boat around the Back Bay with his binoculars close by, looking at all the various wildlife. Up until the last two years, Al rode his bike daily to get the paper and visit friends in their neighborhood. While you rarely saw Al on the beach, he spent a lot of his spare time working around his home and helping others with their projects.

Al was predeceased by his parents, brother Matthew, brothers-in-law Thomas Thibodeau, and Charles and James Daigle; Sisters-in-law Carolyn Daigle, Barbara, Sally, Nancy and Lilian Stevens and Katherine Critchlow. He leaves his loving wife Doris, daughter Diane, son Robert (Tonya) and daughter Laurie; his brothers Marvin, Tony and Larry (Jane); sister Martha (Gary) Cone, sister-in-law Irene Thibodeau, brothers- in-law Glen Critchlow and Richard (Janet) Daigle, along with many much-loved nieces and nephews.

His family is grateful for the compassionate care Al received to include Dr. Vogt, along with all of the wonderfully caring staff of the UVM Home Health and Hospice including a special shout out to Heather Perkov, RN.

Al made many good friends throughout his life, and especially enjoyed the friendships of his Fairview Isle neighbors to include Dolores and Bob, Julie, Eileen, Nancy and Nick, Glenda & Bob, and Diane & Tom, along with tennis friends Dale and Gordy. Back in Vermont, Al was grateful for his daily morning coffee with Bill Penrod at the Quality Bake Shop. When Al became homebound, Bill would continue to visit Al daily. Al will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, December 7 from 3pm to 5pm at Corbin and Palmer Funeral & Cremation Service, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 8, at 11:00am at Holy Family Church, Essex Junction. A reception will follow in the parish center. Burial will be in the spring at Holy Family Cemetery.