Jeffrey Paul Debes (1969-2024)
It is with deep sadness that the family of Jeffery Paul Debes announces his passing on July 27, 2024 at the age of 55 in Ferrisburgh, Vermont.
Jeff was born in Rochester, New York to Paul and Judy Debes. He grew up in Rochester and graduated from East High School in 1987. Jeff spent his early youth playing on the mall of Nunda Blvd with his neighborhood gang of friends. He had a love of football, playing Pop Warner for many years as well as on his high school team. One of his other loves was skiing, and this was fostered early on while in high school with Friday night ski club, as well as ski trips with his second family, the Soules. His group of lifelong high school friends (his brothers as he called them) were so special to him and they remained an important part of his life up until the end. After graduating from high school, Jeff followed his heart to the mountains of Colorado, attending Western State University before coming back east and graduating from SUNY Brockport in 1992.
To be closer to his love of the mountains and lakes, he moved with two of his best friends: Mark and his long lost cousin Jon to Burlington, Vermont in 1993, and began working as a fitness trainer. It was in Burlington where he met the love of his life, Leslie Averill (Sweetpea). They settled in Ferrisburgh and built a home and continued to foster their love of adventure and nature - working in their gardens in the summer and skiing in the winter. Jeff took immense pride in introducing each of his 3 nieces to the sport of skiing, teaching them technique with all the zest and zeal he had for the sport. The best runs of the day were from 8 to 10 and Jeff seldom missed a powder day. He and Leslie had many at Killington & Sugarbush through the years.
Jeff’s love of plants and his green thumb was something learned and cultivated from his parents and shared with his sister. From the vast gardens that he and Leslie cultivated at their home in Ferrisburgh and enjoyed working in every weekend to his numerous house plants that he lovingly tended to, you could always be sure there was some sort of plant talk, swapping and splitting happening when family was around.
Jeff was a friend to all and cultivated special, lifelong friendships with many of the elderly residents of Wake Robin, where he spent many meaningful years working alongside his friend Peter.
His love for music was a lifelong affair. He always had a song for the moment - pulling a CD from his collection on the wall and blasting the stereo. Anything from the 80’s & 90’s - especially the Eagles, Peter Gabriel, shouting along to Rush. He was the best at music trivia, always ready to play (even if he was the only one willing) - quizzing his nieces, “who sings this song?”.
Family was everything to Jeff, and he knew how supported and loved he was by his family. Talking sports & fishing with his dad, trading recipes and cooking with his mom. Enjoying the outdoors with the annual family camping trip. Listening to and sharing music with his sister. His beloved Welsh Terrier Lucy was a constant companion, always by his side, ready to romp in the yard keeping Jeff’s throwing arm in shape. The love he had for his family was endless, as was the unwavering support he gave them all. Uncle J - as his three nieces lovingly called him, was famous for his nicknames for each of them, as well as his direct and motivating text messages he always sent them while checking in. Uncle Jeff to his three nephews whom he loved dearly. Always asking about their progress in sports, gaming, and school. His nieces and nephews will attest to the fact that Jeff was a man of few words, but the ones he chose were powerful, usually a bit loud, and cut straight to your center.
His hugs were long and strong, picking you up and holding you together. Most of all, Jeff was a protector, always with a call of support to those he loved. He was unabashedly loud and proud of his people and it was never a question how deep his devotion ran for those he loved. Sometimes embarrassingly so to his nieces, who he would always find a way to cheer on in life with a big “AH-OU-WUP!” (the famous Debes-clan call). He was a powerful force, having the ability to tease you out of a bad mood and get you up and rallying on again.
Jeff is survived by his parents Paul and Judy Debes of Rochester NY, sister Krista Debes Glow (Stephen) of Waitsfield, VT, nieces Madeline Glow, Isabelle Glow and Ella Glow all of Waitsfield, VT. Jeff is also survived by the love of his life, Leslie Averill of Burlington, VT, his beloved 11 year old Welsh Terrier, Lucy, and Leslie’s family Bernie and Pat Buteau of Rutland VT, Steve, Andrea, Evan and Aren Trombley of Shelburne VT, and Steve, Stephanie and Eli Davis of Colchester VT. Lasty, Jeff is survived by many, many beloved friends and extended family from throughout New England and Upstate New York. Jeff loved you all.
A celebration of Jeff's life will be held Saturday September 14th at 2pm at All-Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne, Vermont www.allsoulsinterfaith.org Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jeff’s name and in support of the Fab 5 to The Divided Sky Foundation https://dividedsky.org/ an organization near and dear to our hearts.