Arthur Edward Gramse Jr. passed away on April 8th, 2020 at the age of 77 after an extended period of poor health.

Known to family and friends as “Art”, he was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1943 to Jean (Quinn) and Dr. Arthur Gramse Sr. The family settled in Massachusetts and Art grew up a proud New Englander. After graduation from Williston Academy, he went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Washington and Jefferson College and his Master’s from the University of Rhode Island. In his professional life, Art was a dedicated English teacher, sharing his love of literature and language with students in the Midwest, southeast and throughout New England during a career that spanned decades.

Art spent much of his time on Cape Cod, and it was there that he met Judy, his first wife, whom he married in 1967. During their time together, the couple had two children. Art gained two stepchildren with his second wife, Donna, and the couple ultimately settled in Donna’s home state of Vermont, where they shared many memorable years until her passing.

Art was known for having a sharp wit coupled with self-deprecating charm, a religious devotion to the Boston Bruins and Red Sox, an untameable sweet tooth and an encyclopedic knowledge of perhaps his greatest passion: the art of fishing. In his youth, he played hockey, won fishing derbies and was an accomplished archer. He was an old school Rock and Roller, bopping away to Buddy Holly, the Beatles and Blondie, until he discovered a profound connection to the work of John Prine. Art also had a deep appreciation and respect for great authors, and considered the work of Henry David Thoreau and J.D. Salinger to be foundational to his worldview. Art possessed a creative spirit in his own right and, over the course of his life, produced poetry, humorous essays and colorful memoir, stunning abstract paintings and innumerable custom handmade fishing lures, one of which was patented.

Art is survived by his children and stepchildren, Shannon Gramse and her husband Todd of Akron, OH, Joshua Gramse and his wife Camille of Sonoma, CA, Jody Billodeau and his wife Michelle of St. Albans, Tracy Billodeau and her partner Dennis Reynolds also of St. Albans, his brother Reed Gramse ’66 and his wife Patti of Cape Elizabeth, ME and their children and grandchildren, his sister Gaylin Soponis and her husband Chuck of Gainesville, FL and their children and grandchildren, his mother-in-law Barbara DeVarney of Richford and his Sister-in-law Susan Shappy, also of Richford.

His ashes will be interred with those of his wife, Donna, in Hope Cemetery in Georgia, Vermont. Because of his personal connection to the ocean, a small portion of his remains will also be committed to the sea in a private family ceremony at a later time.

Art’s children wish to express a deep gratitude to his brother Dr. Reed Gramse for overseeing their father’s health during his final years, and a special thanks to the staff of Brownway Residence and the Franklin County Rehab Center for their compassion and professionalism.

In recognition of Art’s great love of animals, memorial contributions may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478.