BOUFFARD: Louis R., 69, of St. Johnsbury, went on to a better place and met his Lord surrounded by his loving family at home Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Oct. 19, 1935, the son of George and Dulcina (Daniel) Bouffard. Louis is survived by his wife of 47 years, Reinette (Gervais), and his six children, Ronald, Michael, Andre and his wife Margaret, Diane Morey and her husband Allen, Maurice ("Muzzy"), and Joanne Shumbo and her husband Joseph. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Jennifer, Julian, April, Riley, Christine, Michelle, Olivia, Michael, Joseph and Tucker. He is also survived by his two brothers George and Arthur. Louis was a successful family man, entrepreneur, and community leader. After high school he started out his business career working as a meat cutter at Bouffard's Market, a store owned by his father and uncle on Railroad Street. He then went to work as a life insurance salesman for Prudential Insurance Company, many times earning the top salesman award for the greater St. Johnsbury area. In 1971 he purchased Bachand Insurance Agency in St. Johnsbury and proceeded to successfully build this business through the hard work of growing his own personal client base and through other agency purchases over the years. He sold his agency in 1993 and then developed a significant real estate rental business, with a reputation as an honest and fair landlord. Semi-retirement allowed him to spend more time with his beloved grandchildren at home and on trips to favorite places like the coast of Maine, and to return to a favorite avocation by cutting meat at the Wheelock General Store owned by his daughter. Louis was a very active member of his community for many years encompassing many different activities. His community activities include being a founding father of the St. Johnsbury Academy Booster Club, utilizing his personality to successfully raise funds. He obtained the status of 4th degree knight in the Sheridan Chapter 421 and was given the Vermont Knight of the Year Award in 2001. He was an active member of the St. Johnsbury Rotary Club for many years. He was a past president of the PTG of the disbanded Catholic Central School (recently reincarnated as the Good Shepherd School). He went on to become one of the initial school board members of the Good Shepherd School and was heavily involved in the initial fund raising efforts to get the school started. He was also a very active member of the St. Johnsbury Elks Club, participating in many of the organization's community activities. He was also a very active member of St. John the Evangelist Church, most recently participating as a devoted member of its choir. One item of particular pride to Louis was his invaluable contribution as a hard-nosed running back on the 1953 undefeated St. Johnsbury Academy state championship football team, on which he played with several lifelong friends. He was also selected as a member of the All-State football team that year. Louis' funeral will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church this Saturday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held Friday, Dec. 10 at Sayles Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be directed to The Good Shepherd Foundation, P.O. Box 146, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.