Michael (Mike) Robert Goss, 67, of Cave City, Kentucky, died at home in his sleep on Friday, November 22, 2024. Born in Montpelier, Vermont, November 15, 1957, he was the son of Ozzie John Goss and Evelyn Rita (Kilby) Goss.
Mike lived the majority of his life in Moretown, Vermont, and the surrounding area. He spoke fondly of his early years with his tight-knit family in the house where his family and life were centered for his first 53 years. He cherished his memories of small-town Vermont life: friends always around, working outside, fishing or hunting with his father, and maintaining a local cemetery. Mike’s two strongest instincts were his desire to do everything he could for those he cared about and his innate tendency to be a ‘wild child.’
His compassion and love were obvious. He gave freely of what he had and never shied from helping those who needed it. He was part of the volunteer fire department as soon as he was old enough, and continued bravely for the next 25 years. A friendly extrovert, he would talk to everyone who gave him the time of day and loved to spend his time visiting with family and friends.
Despite his desire to help, he rarely did what other people thought he should do in his own life, which led some to discipline him harshly. He went to Harwood Union until his senior year when he dropped out, attaining his GED weeks later. He wasn’t one to bow to the rigid disciplines of the Army or college, but instead had a series of short-term yet enriching jobs like ski lift attendant, landscaper, logger, construction worker, house mover, and others. Eventually he settled into working at Ben & Jerry’s where he became the production supervisor and even traveled to Holland to help set up a new production facility. He was an avid outdoorsman his entire life: hunting deer, fishing in all seasons, boating, camping, and driving forest trails in his side-by-side, almost always with someone else by his side.
When not spending time with his family and friends or enjoying the outdoors, Mike could be found in his workshop tinkering, fixing, creating, and crafting.
Mike is loved and mourned by many, including his companion of 20 years, Jessie King of Cave City, Kentucky; his son Brendan Michael Messier of Deerfield, New Hampshire; and his siblings; Patty (Patricia M. Moulton) and her husband George of Bonita Springs, Florida, Tina (Christinia A. Lamson) and her husband David of Northfield Falls, Vermont, Becky (Rebecca S. Ciampi) and her husband Craig of Moretown, and John O. Goss and his wife Reta of Warren, Vermont. He was preceded in death by a sister, Joy A. Goss in 1961.
A small service will be held at his parents’ graves at Mountain View Cemetery in Moretown at 11 a.m. on June 20. (There will be updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1An2pjcHPp/). Memorial gifts can be made in the form of donations to the Moretown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 491, Moretown, VT 05660.Condolences may be sent to Jessie King at 135 Peden Road, Cave City, KY 42127 or Brendan Messier at 49 South Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037 or
