Lonnie Theodore Lacaillade

Lonnie Theodore Lacaillade of Huntington passed away peacefully at the McClure Miller Respite House on March 10, 2026. Born on March 12, 1972, he was the third child of Leigh Lacaillade, Sr. and Jane Lacaillade. Lonnie spent his entire life in the town he loved, where as a boy he explored rivers, streams, hills, and valleys with his siblings, cousins, and friends. He enjoyed baseball, ice skating, snowmobiling, hunting, biking, fishing, and swimming in the river.

From a young age, Lonnie worked alongside his father in the family masonry business. After studying building trades, he devoted 36 years to the trade, collaborating with his father, brother, uncle, son, and many coworkers who became lifelong friends. His craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in the brick and block structures that grace Vermont and neighboring states. He also developed a passion for building and racing cars, competing in Late Model and dirt track events in Plattsburgh and Barre. Even after stepping away from driving, he continued working on cars and maintained many close friendships formed through racing.

Lonnie married his best friend, Christine Pelkey, on September 27, 2014. Together they embraced a simple life filled with hard work, shared moments, and quiet adventures, from tailgate dinners to impromptu trips sparked by a dragonfly’s appearance. He cherished time with his wife and children, restoring his 1950 Chevy truck, building a cabin in the woods, hosting family holiday dinners, watching wildlife, following races, enjoying Sunday breakfasts, visiting his mother, and spending time with his grand pups. He was always ready to help others, whether with building projects, plowing snow, or simply offering conversation and kindness. In later years, he found joy in genealogy, sharing family stories and photographs at gatherings. An accomplished mason, he became the Northeast Regional Champion in 2022, laying 402 bricks in 60 minutes, and earned the Craftsmanship award for “The best wall.” He later competed in the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 in Las Vegas.

Lonnie is survived by his loving wife Christine (Pelkey) Lacaillade, who remained by his side until the end; his daughter Kaylee Lacaillade; his son Lance Lacaillade; and his stepdaughter Jessica Cota and her husband Curtis. He is also survived by his mother Jane Lacaillade, brother Leigh (Lynn) Lacaillade Jr., sister Laurel (Mark) Sanborn, parents-in-law George and Claire Pelkey, and many siblings-in-law, as well as his special uncle and aunt Virgil and Kellie Lacaillade, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and countless dear friends. He was predeceased by his father Leigh Lacaillade Sr., maternal grandparents Theodore and Ella Trieb, paternal grandparents Monroe and Rita Lacaillade, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his beloved Silky Terrier, Miss Lily Theodorable.

Lonnie will be remembered for his quiet strength, dedication to family and craft, and the many ways he quietly helped those around him. His memory endures in the buildings he helped create, the friendships he formed, and the family who loved him deeply. As a second-grader, he said he wanted to be a mason like his dad, learn to ride a bike, be strong like the Hulk, and drive a race car. He accomplished all of that and so much more.