MIDDLESEX – Throughout his life, Brian Vachon, a retired National Life vice president, wore many hats and had a storied career as a writer and editor, but his true calling was as a father, the title he loved most of all. In addition to his role as a beloved husband to Nancy, he cherished being a father to his four children, Andrew, Mary, Jon and Anne.
Brian entered fatherhood by adopting his eldest son, Andrew, followed eight years later by his daughter, Mary, and son, Jon, from Korea. Two weeks before they were to arrive, Brian discovered that his youngest daughter, Anne, was six months away from joining his vibrant family. As his wife, Nancy, can attest, “it was a crazy year.” Brian and Nancy continued to nurture several foster children after all of their own had left the house. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in November.
Brian was born on Oct. 3, 1941, and grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City with his loving siblings, Ann, Gail, Christine and Michael. During his formative years in New York, Brian honed his expertise at throwing darts, winning several bar tournaments throughout the city.
He started his writing career at a newspaper in Bristol, Tennessee, and later worked as a freelance writer for various publications, including a brief stint at Newsweek. Returning to Manhattan, Brian worked as editor at Charlie magazine, and it was during this time that he submitted articles to LOOK Magazine where he met Nancy, a researcher who would become the love of his life. Brian quickly employed his effortless charm and wit to win her over, and they were married a year later in an intimate ceremony held at his family’s apartment in 1971.
The following year, Brian and Nancy left the concrete jungle of city life and moved to the Green Mountains where Brian became editor-in-chief of Vermont Life Magazine in Montpelier, serving nine years before becoming the vice president of communications for National Life Insurance Group. He managed to secure this position even after he admitted during his interview that he did not have a college degree (despite having brief stints at several). They made a wise hire, and Brian applied his skilled and always thoughtful penmanship to a 25-year career at National Life, before retiring 10 years ago at the age of 65.
In retirement, Brian continued his involvement with children and young people both in church and in the community at large. Brian was an advocate and voice for youth in central Vermont as a guardian ad litem. He treasured this work and, despite the advice to take only a few cases, he never turned a case away, handling several dozen with care. He enthusiastically supported and encouraged others, including as a mentor to countless high school students as they navigated the college application process.
Brian harbored a tremendous love of animals; he adopted and cared for many throughout his life. More specifically, he loved feeding animals and all of his dogs, cats and goats maintained a full figure throughout their cherished lives. He was also an avid and gifted singer, first developing this love as a choirboy at Corpus Christi Church in New York City. He continued this tradition in Vermont and his rich bass was a grounding force in the choir at The Old Meeting House. The community he helped cultivate at The Old Meeting House remained an important element in his life until the end.
Finding strength and inspiration through his young and growing family, Brian laid his party hat to rest and remained sober for what would end up being 31 years. Brian was vocal about having lived a rich and full life; however, he did regret during his last weeks that he didn’t drink one last glass of Scotch whiskey, neat.
Despite a sudden, short and brave fight with cancer, Brian maintained his sense of humor and sarcasm until he passed away with family at his side at the University of Vermont Medical Center on the morning of Dec. 9, 2016; he was 75. “It’s either Hannah or me,” he said in reference to his beloved 12-year-old dog, also suffering from cancer at home. Hannah lives on, happily licking plates and indulging in treats.
Brian’s life endures through the eternal love of his family and the enormous community of people whose lives he impacted.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to an organization that was close to Brian’s heart: The Onion River Food Shelf, c/o Diana Fielder, 353 County Rd., Montpelier, VT 05602.
A memorial service to honor and remember Brian will be held Sunday, Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at The Old Meeting House in East Montpelier Center.