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Wayne Heath Remembered

Tuesday September 12, 2006

By Cheryl White

    Wayne Heath was proud of his career as a man of the law and many of  those  he associated with throughout his career were stunned and saddened by his sudden passing.

Addison County States Attorney John Quinn had known Wayne for many years. “We had a long working relationship. Wayne was very good at his job.  He had a great sense of humor and was a terrific photographer.  I’m saddened that he is no longer with us,” Quinn conveyed to The Voice.

Mary Parks, now retired from her job at Social and Rehabilitation Services here in Addison County, remembers  Wayne Heath as a man of great integrity, knowledge and compassion. “We worked together in the 80’s on many sensitive cases involving sexual abuse. Wayne was always wonderful, very respectful, very knowledgeable.  He was a great family man and had a marvelous sense of humor.  He loved to drive and was on the road often.  He would advise people to use an alternate route when returning from a commute.  He will be missed by many people,” she said.

Retired Vermont State Trooper and former Addison County Side Judge, James Lilly was a friend and mentor of Heath for over three decades.  “ We were both ‘Outpost Troopers’ in Barton and Island Pond and served in Middlebury. I was a detective and Wayne was patrol commander,” Lilly remembers. Lilly went on to recall that Heath and he became close friends and he introduced Wayne to golf.  They also bowled together.  “Wayne always liked to keep busy.  He was an excellent woodworker and cabinet maker.  He was an excellent police officer and side judge we always had a great working relationship and friendship,” Lilly remembered.

Addison County Sheriff Jim Coons enjoyed a long time working relationship and friendship with Heath.“Wayne was a man who cared about others.  I am just stunned by his passing.  We have lost a truly dedicated public servant.  It’s a great loss,” Jim Coons said.

Long time Middlebury resident and businessman Roch Macintyre expressed the sense of loss at Heaths passing.  “A man with class...this is a great loss to the community,” Macintyre shared with us.

Valley Voice General Manager Mike Cameron has been interviewing public officials for over 35-years and had just completed an interview with Wayne Heath on Wednedsay afternoon, August 30th.  “Wayne was a man who carried with him a wonderful sense of calm.  He had a terrific sense of  humor to go along with a keen, street smart intellect and he was willing to share his knowledge with those of us who wished to learn from him.  There is a saying amongst up-land bird hunters in Scottland when describing a particularly good wing shot in their peer group.  “They know their bird,” is the highest compliment one can get in that fraternity.  Wayne Heath knew his bird and shared that knowledge for the benefit of others throughout his career,” Cameron said. Wayne Joseph Heath’s full obituary appears on page 15.  All of us at The Valley Voice wish to express our sincere condolences to Wayne’s family, associates and friends.

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