Fred Clark Priest , 50, died early Wednesday morning, Feb. 16, 2005,
at home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born
in St. Johnsbury, Nov. 6, 1954, the son of Clarence and Ruby (Lund)
Priest, who survive him in St. Johnsbury. A 1972 graduate of St.
Johnsbury Academy, Fred went on to be a vocational teacher at the
Academy specializing in truck and diesel. He was a member of St.
John the Evangelist Church, a coach of St. Johnsbury Baseball and
Softball, worked at the concession stand and was a member of the
"famous" St. Johnsbury Center Baseball Team. His passion and skill
for auto racing will long be remembered by the area fans and
especially his fellow drivers. He was track champion several times at
Groveton, N.H. Fred loved spending time with his children,
grandchildren and his family. He was a mentor and friend and a great
role model for so many. He was a good man, who was always there
for you, as shown by his relationship to foster children and Academy
students. On Oct. 13, 1973, he married Debra (Winot) Priest, who
survives him in St. Johnsbury. Besides his parents, he leaves two sons,
Michael and his wife Carrie of St. Johnsbury, and Hon Lo of
California; and a daughter, Lydia and her husband Jeffrey Norway of
McGuire AFB, N.J.; a brother, Clarence his and wife Carol Priest Jr. of
Waterford; a sister, Penny Priest of Newburgh, N.C.; five
grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and
cousins. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Doris Winot;
sisters-in-law, Sallie and her husband Wayne Lewis, Bobbi and her
husband Kendrick Utley, Darcie and her husband David Brill, and
Linda Winot. He was predeceased by his sister, Deborah Coons; a
brother-in-law, Bruce Winot; and his father-in-law, Theodore Winot.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church,
Monday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m., with Father Patrick Forman, celebrant.
Spring burial will be in Grove Cemetery, East St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Friends are invited to meet the family Sunday, Feb. 20, at Sayles
Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made in his memory to St. Johnsbury Baseball (Concession Stand),
P.O. Box 421, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.
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