Jean Paul J. Gravell

Jean Paul Joseph Arthur Edward Gravell died peacefully at his home in Punta Gorda, Florida at the age of 90 on May 11, 2016. He was born July 21, 1925 in Burlington Vermont, oldest of four children of M. Therese (Charbonneau) Gravel and F. Edward Gravel. After high school, he enrolled in the US Navy (LT JG) and served stateside during WWII as an electrical instructor and Shore Patrol. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on the GI Bill and obtained his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He worked for General Electric and Raytheon, developing the early prototype for the microwave oven and in radar development. During his first marriage to Mary he lived in Colonie, New York, in Lodi, New Jersey, Phoenix, Arizona and Westwood and Chelmsford, Massachusetts. After his second marriage in 1984, he moved to Punta Gorda, Florida where he lived in several area locations for over 30 years. In Florida he worked as a buyer's broker. For many years he was an avid snow and water skier and boater on his craft the Saguaro. He enjoyed raising vegetables and fruits and was a do it yourselfer with electrical and house projects. He was an amateur avid wine maker using much of his home grown produce. In Arizona he held the position of Deputy Sheriff. He loved to travel and visited many countries around the world for work and pleasure, and enjoyed several cruises during retirement with Anne. He had a lifelong passion for politics and was a supporter of the Libertarian Party and considered himself a Secular Humanist. He always loved Vermont, the state of his birth. He was survived by his wife, Anne Osiecki Gravell and his five children from his first marriage to Mary Ann (Heffernan) Gravell (deceased). He was the proud father of - Joanne Gravell and spouse Christopher Ebacher, Mark Gravell, Sharon Walsh and Greg Sarni, Jack Gravell and spouse Tammy Gravell, and Lisa Lund and spouse Peter Lund. He is also survived by Anne's children Chris and Stephanie Osiecki, his grandchildren Nicholas, Max and Marie Ebacher, Jason and Jeremy Gravell, Zachary, Joshua, Siobhan and Charissa Gravell and Erik, Carson and Sylvia Lund. He was pre-deceased by his brother and sister-in-law Roger and Lorraine Gravel. He leaves his sister Jeannine McCormick and her husband Jim (Delmar NY) and his sister Rita McCormack and her husband Arthur (Oxnard, CA). He also leaves many nieces, nephews and relatives who would gather annually to visit at Lake Champlain and enjoyed speaking French. A Private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.