Edward Meilleur, longtime resident of Pleasant Street in St. Johnsbury, passed away in Las Vegas, Nev. on March 3, 2015 at the home he shared with his son Jason and daughter-in-law Delinah. He had resided there since October and had recently suffered a severe stroke. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass. on June 11, 1923, the son of George and Rose (Mochon) Meilleur. Edward was a 1943 graduate of the St. Johnsbury Trade School. He immediately went on to serve in the U.S. Army, specifically in the 10th Mountain Division, which was just being formed at that time. He served principally in Italy. On April 29, 1949 he married Althea Blodgett of Lyndonville. To this union came their five children: Bryan, Susan, Kevin, Steven, and Jason. They celebrated their 65th anniversary last year. Althea passed away on Sept. 11, 2014. Edward had a career at New England Telephone, starting as lineman in 1946 and progressing to a supervisory position, retiring in 1986. He then went to work for Ernie Thurston being 'Mr. Fix It' at his various rental properties. In his younger years he helped maintain the ice skating rink at the bottom of Pleasant Street, coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, and mowed several Pleasant Street area lawns. Eddie and Althea took great pleasure in their extended years of active parenting, seldom missing an event in which any of their children participated. With their child rearing years behind them, they were very active travelling, going out to eat, volunteering, and treasuring their lives together. They regularly went on bus trips to New York State and were Tuesday night fixtures together volunteering at NVRH. Althea was the out-going, vivacious half of the couple while Eddie was a quiet steadying force totally dedicated to his family and most especially to his wife. After her death he relocated to Las Vegas and this small town New England gentleman found joy in simple things like the blue of the western sky, marveling at the number of planes flying over, sharing breakfast with his daughter-in-law and the warm embrace of family. He is survived by four of his five children: Susan Mills and husband Gordon of Lyndonville, Kevin Meilleur and wife Sena of Essex, Steven Meilleur and wife Maria of Melbourne, Florida, Jason Meilleur and wife Delinah of Las Vegas, Nev. Also surviving him are grandchildren Mac and Katie; Adam; Stephanie Jo, Natalia, Francoise; Marquell and Donavyn; 2 great-grandchildren: Tristan and Joseph; and Althea's 3 nieces and their families. He is also survived by Jason's in-laws, Dennis and Donna Goggin, who became much more than just his son's in-laws during his time in Las Vegas. His oldest son Bryan passed away in 1976. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Friday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m. Services will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church in St. Johnsbury on Saturday, June 13 at 10 a.m. The Rev. Kirk Thompson, pastor, and Mr. John Sleeper will officiate at the service. Committal services with military honors will follow at the Lyndon Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions could be directed to: NVRH Auxiliary, 1315 Hospital Dr., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.