Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas! 

 

Michael Charles Laberge, 58, formerly of Middlebury

December 21, 2023

MICHAEL CHARLES LABERGE

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Michael Charles Laberge of Bonita Springs, Florida., (formerly of Middlebury, Vt.) passed away suddenly on November 22, 2023, following a short illness.

Michael was born in Burlington, Vt., on November 19, 1965, to Robert W. Laberge, Sr. and Laura Sherman Laberge (who both predeceased him). Michael grew up in New Haven, Vt., before moving to Middlebury in 1976. Michael quickly made many friends due to his sense of humor and memorable laugh. Michael was voted class president in his sophomore, junior, and senior classes at Middlebury Union High School. Michael also attended Boys State.

Michael was a natural athlete and would excel in any athletic activity he chose to pursue, most notably on the football field where he was dominant on offense and defense. Michael was voted co-captain of the football team his senior year at Middlebury. He was chosen to play in the annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game, where he was also named co-captain of the Vermont team.

Michael went on to attend Dean Junior College in Franklin, Massachusetts, and also played football for the Red Demons (now Bulldogs). After graduating, Michael moved to Florida where he started his own insurance business. Being a people person, Michael also worked as a waiter at the well-known Bubble Room Restaurant on Captiva Island, Florida, and The Pewter Mug North in Naples, Florida.

Michael is survived by his children Allison, Joshua and Jordan. He is also survived by his sister Patty (Steve) Laberge Hathaway, brothers Bill (Nicole) Laberge, Jeff (Jill) Laberge, Jim (Kristin) Laberge and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Michael was also predeceased by his brother Steve Laberge.

There are no calling hours at this time. A celebration of life will be scheduled for late spring/early summer 2024. An announcement for the celebration will be made at a later date.

Annunciation to Mary, Rilke

 

Annunciation to Mary

by Rainer Maria Rilke

The angel’s entrance (you must realize)
was not what made her frightened. The surprise
he gave her by his coming was no more
than sun or moon-beam stirring on the floor
would give another, — she had long since grown
used to the form that angels wear, descending;
never imaging this coming-down
was hard for them. (O it’s past comprehending,
how pure she was. Did not one day, a hind
that rested in a wood, watchfully staring,
feel her deep influence, and did it not
conceive the unicorn, then, without pairing,
the pure beast, beast which light begot, — )
No, not to see him enter, but to find
the youthful angel’s countenance inclined
so near to her; that when he looked, and she
looked up at him, their looks so merged in one
the world outside grew vacant, suddenly,
and all things being seen, endured and done
were crowded into them: just she and he
eye and its pasture, visions and its view,
here at the point and at this point alone:-
see, this arouses fear. Such fear both knew.

From The Life of Mary by Rainer Maria Rilke – From Selected Work, Vol. II Poetry, translated by J.B. Leishman, Hogarth Press, © 1960.

Annunciation to Mary, Rainer Maria Rilke

 

Annunciation to Mary

by Rainer Maria Rilke

The angel’s entrance (you must realize)
was not what made her frightened. The surprise
he gave her by his coming was no more
than sun or moon-beam stirring on the floor
would give another, — she had long since grown
used to the form that angels wear, descending;
never imaging this coming-down
was hard for them. (O it’s past comprehending,
how pure she was. Did not one day, a hind
that rested in a wood, watchfully staring,
feel her deep influence, and did it not
conceive the unicorn, then, without pairing,
the pure beast, beast which light begot, — )
No, not to see him enter, but to find
the youthful angel’s countenance inclined
so near to her; that when he looked, and she
looked up at him, their looks so merged in one
the world outside grew vacant, suddenly,
and all things being seen, endured and done
were crowded into them: just she and he
eye and its pasture, visions and its view,
here at the point and at this point alone:-
see, this arouses fear. Such fear both knew.

From The Life of Mary by Rainer Maria Rilke – From Selected Work, Vol. II Poetry, translated by J.B. Leishman, Hogarth Press, © 1960.

2023 Advent and Christmas Schedule at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Cathedral Road

   2023 Advent and Christmas Schedule at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Cathedral Road