SULLIVAN – Denis Vibert, a nationally recognized studio potter, passed away Sept. 25, 2004, at a Bangor hospital surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 19, 1919, on the Isle of Jersey (UK) off the coast of France, the third son of Thomas and Florence Vibert. He was educated at the H.M.S. Worcester Thames Nautical Training College and London University. During World War II, he was the only person to have successfully escaped from the German occupied Channel Island to England. His daring four-day ordeal in a row boat ended when he was picked up by a British destroyer off Portland Bill. He then joined the Royal Air Force, serving as a bomber pilot flying Wellingtons as part of the Atlantic Coastal Command. He met and married his beloved wife, Ruth (Meynell) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1943. After the war, he studied at the Quebec Provincial School of Design, and later bought a home in Sullivan where they have had a studio workshop since the 1950s. Individual pieces of his works have been shown at Worcester Art Museum, the Smithsonian Traveling Museum, Colby College, The University of Maine and other Artists Exhibitions. In addition to his wife, he will be sadly missed by his brother, Ralph and wife, Christine; and sister-in-law, Joy in Jersey; his sister-in-law, Betty Hills of Sullivan; three nephews and one niece in Maine; seven nieces residing in England and their families. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Bob; and sister, Lynette. A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004, at the Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Ronald McDonald House, 489 State St., Bangor, ME 04401 or the Southwest Harbor Animal Shelter, 15 Wood St., Southwest Harbor, ME 04679.
DENIS VIBERT
