Lawrence "Chee-Wee" G. Pronto

MONTGOMERY CENTER - Lawrence Chee-Wee Pronto, age 92, passed away January 18, 2019 at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.

He was born in Lowell on April 21, 1926 to the late Mahlon J. and Myrtle L. (Hardy) Pronto.

Chee-Wee worked throughout his life in many different occupations. A farmer and maple sugaring for many of his early years, Northland Hockey Stick Factory, The Toy Factory in Montgomery, Jay Peak, and Pratt and Whitney in Massachusetts. Chee-Wee enjoyed snowmobiling and swimming in Montgomery at his favorite bridges and swimming holes. Upon retirement he spent his time mowing lawns and snow blowing friends and neighbors yards. On the side for fun and sometimes for a little pocket money, he would make wooden birdhouses, doll beds, signs, wishing wells, mostly just because he loved to do it. Chee-Wee loved his furry animal friends named BB, Teddy and Alex. Wherever he and Stella went, the dog went too, always a loving companion for the both of them. Chee-Wee will be remembered for his love of life, his sense of humor, and his notorious Dukes of Hazzard horn.

He is survived by his step-daughter Donna (Tatro) Ovitt and her husband Dennis of Bakersfield; his 6 grandchildren, Tony Ovitt and his wife Jackie, Tina Ovitt, Jennifer Wright and her husband Aaron all of Bakersfield, Bradley Ovitt and his wife Amber of Enosburg, Barry Ovitt and his wife Debra of Fairfax and Belinda Bessette and her husband Jared of St. Albans; 18 great-grandchildren, Jason and his wife Brandie, Jordan and his wife Amanda, Brandy and her husband Doug, Taylor and her husband Dakota, Tiffani, Tricia, Whitney, Miranda, Derick, Levi, Cadence, Ethan, Aspyn, Mychala, Mariah, Brynn, Joslyn and Kierstyn; 8 great great-grandchildren, Austen, Alexis, Nevaeh, Montannah, Oakley, Jeremiah, Jacob and Sophia; his sisters, Catherine Fletcher of Enosburg Falls, and Rena Rocheleau of St. Albans; as well as nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Chee-Wee was predeceased by his life-long partner Stella Tatro of Montgomery Center; his grandsons, Chad and Darren Ovitt; his great grandson Dawson Perley; his brother, Harold Pronto; and his brothers-in-law, Pete Fletcher and Andy Rocheleau.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 4 - 6:00 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickenson Ave., Enosburg Falls, VT.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Isidore Catholic Church, 169 Mountain Road, Montgomery Center. Interment will be held this spring in St. Isidore Catholic Cemetery.

For those who wish, contributions in Chee-Wees memory may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans City, VT 05478 and/or to St. Isidore Catholic Church, 152 Main Street, Montgomery Center, VT 05476.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com