John O. "Johnny" Gammell, 86, of St. Johnsbury, passed away at home on Friday, July 4, 2014,
surrounded by his family after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was born May 27, 1928, at home on
River Road in St. Johnsbury, the son of John and Lorraine (Gagnon) Gammell.
John attended the St. Johnsbury Trade School until he entered the U.S. Navy in 1946. He served
from 1946-1948 and again from 1950-1952 and was stationed on the aircraft carrier, the USS Oriskany. He was also a
member of the VFW Post 793 of St. Johnsbury. John worked for Purina Feeds in St. Johnsbury for 25 years;
there he worked in the mill and later drove a grain delivery truck until the mill closed in 1973. He later
worked at Lawrence Sand and Gravel Co. in St. Johnsbury before he began an
18-year career with Northeast Tool Co. in Lyndonville, retiring in 1993. In 1994
John went back to work and drove an RCT bus until 2013, retiring at the age of 85.
Johnny was a well-known local race car driver. He was the first track champion
at Northeastern Speedway in Waterford in 1959, the year the track opened. He
also won the first feature raced at Riverside Speedway in Groveton, N.H. He
raced at Catamount Speedway in Milton and at Thunder Road Speed Bowl in
Barre. At Thunder Road, John won the state championship in 1964 and the Milk
Bowl race in 1969. He retired from racing in 1972 and was later inducted into
the New England Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 27, 2008.
John loved the time he spent at his camp in Sheffield, deer hunting, fishing and
spending time with his family. He was a fine man who enjoyed helping people
and always had something nice to say to them. He was a friend to many and will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his wife of St. Johnsbury, Joan (Trombley) Gammell whom he
married in 1976; four children: Alison Gammell of Lyndonville, John R. Gammell
and his wife Billy of Ohio, Harry Gammell and his wife Melanie of Walden, and
Steven Gingras and his wife Dawn of Sheffield; numerous grandchildren and
great-grandchildren; his first wife and mother to his first three children, Gloria
Charron of St. Johnsbury; six brothers: Richard Gammell and his wife Connie of
St. Johnsbury, Robert Gammell and his wife Jini of St. Johnsbury, Roger
Gammell of St. Johnsbury, Kenneth Gammell and his wife Joanne of Newark,
James Gammell and his wife Lynn of Greenville, N.C., and Victor Gammell of St.
Johnsbury; two sisters: Helen Laberge and her husband Robert of North
Monroe, N.H., and Sharon Sinclair of St. Johnsbury; many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters: infant Viola Gammell, Lorraine
Stuart and her husband John; a sister in-law Ernestine Gammell; and a
granddaughter Keisha Gingras.
He passed with his loyal companion and friend by his side, his dog Teeni.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
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