Gifford O. Rossier of Ascutney, Vt., passed away on June 1 at
the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center at the age of 83.
He was born on May 22, 1929, the son of Harvey and Viola (Owen) Rossier, in Sutton.
Gifford graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1947. As a young
man, he worked at the former Tap & Die in Lyndonville and as
a foreman at Fairbanks Morse Scales in St. Johnsbury. Gifford's
real passion was a hobby he started at the age of 17. A
gunsmith and collector of antique firearms, he operated Giff's
Gun Shop for 20+ years in McIndoe Falls. Relocating to
Ascutney, Gifford continued his gun business right up until his
failing health. The long duration of his career earned him high
accolades, as he won all types of awards and was continually
approached by dealers throughout the northeast and across the
nation for insight and appraisals. He was a lifetime member for
the NRA, an instructor, on-going member, and past-president of
Vermont Field and Stream.
Gifford is survived by his loving wife, Lois (Linder), a retired
nurse from Hoosick Falls, N.Y. They married in 1987.
Gifford leaves behind his son, Glenn Gifford Rossier and his wife
Marianne of Greenfield, Ind.; and his daughter, Gail Ann Rossier
of St. Johnsbury, Vt. He is also survived by two
granddaughters: Erin Marie (Rossier) Jennings and her husband
Ben, Lauren Ann (Rossier) Bodkin and her husband Jeff; a
great-grandson, Graham Gifford Bodkin, and a "soon-to-be"
great-granddaughter, Mia Carmen Bodkin; and his former wife,
Carmelita Ward Hutchinson, all of Greenfield, Ind. Additionally,
is one brother and his wife, Samuel and Dorothy (Larocque)
Rossier of Sutton, a sister-in-law, Geneva (Osgood) Rossier of
Greer, South Carolina, loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and
fellow "gun friends."
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