Rico Babic said he wouldn't be old until he turned 100. Just 44 days after reaching that milestone, Rico died on March 5, 2015, a resident of the Rowan Court Health and Rehabilitation Center in Barre. His beloved wife, Jeannette Pinard Babic, predeceased him on April 6, 2002 after 61 years of marriage. Rico was born Jan. 20, 1915 in Barre, the son of Nina and Dragutin Babic, Croatian immigrants who arrived via Ellis Island. He learned the value of hard work at a young age, selling newspapers as a boy on the street corner for a half-cent apiece. He packed pecks of potatoes at Montpelier's A&P store, where he was also a store clerk. His earnings supported his parents, twin sisters and two brothers. Rico graduated from St. Michael's High School in Montpelier in 1933 and, at his death, was his class' last surviving member. In 1938, Rico began his four-decade career with the Vermont Department of Employment Security, retiring in 1977 as business manager. He was active with the state employee unions, serving in various leadership positions, including as treasurer and president of the Vermont State Retired Employees Association. Rico enlisted with the U.S. Army in 1943 as a classification specialist, stationed in Massachusetts. He would hitchhike or catch a milk train home on the weekends to see his wife and newborn son. In 1946, Rico joined the Vermont State Employees Credit Union, serving on the board of directors from 1962-65. He was proud to be the last living VSECU member with a membership number under 100. Rico reactivated the long-dormant Vermont chapter of the International Association of Employment Security in 1963, becoming its president, and from 1969-1975, he served as international treasurer. Rico and Jeannette attended 24 annual meetings, traveling extensively throughout the United States. He was known to proudly bring cases of Vermont maple syrup nips to every convention. Starting in 1986, Rico and Jeannette began spending their retirement years in Sarasota, Fla. and summers in Montpelier or at their camp on Caspian Lake in Greensboro. Rico was a lifetime member of the Elks, American Legion and Knights of Columbus and served as treasurer of the American Slavic Club in Sarasota. He faithfully attended St. Augustine's Church in Montpelier and St. Patrick's in Florida. Rico's family will remember him as a leader who set the highest example. He was an excellent orator who relished giving speeches at any gathering, no microphone needed. He believed a firm handshake was of the utmost importance. He was also a careful listener who inquired and kept current on each and every family member. He valued his heritage and spent 20 years compiling three family trees. He imparted life lessons from fishing and golfing to working hard and saving money. He also enjoyed bowling, skating and playing cards but was particularly known for his love of dancing, his quick wit and the twinkle in his eye. For all of this and more, he will be sadly missed. Rico is survived by his sister, Laura Gibson, and sister-in-law, Joanne Babic. He is also survived by his five children, Donald and wife, Sharon; Thomas and wife, Linda; Larry and wife, Patty Joslyn; Sandra Babic Sundarabhaya and husband, Nopadon; and Susan Babic Gill and husband, Howard; and by his 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, Lisa Lamdin and her daughters Courtney and Caitlyn; Corey Babic and wife, Leslie; Jason Babic and wife, Indira, and their daughter, Harlow; Kevin Babic and wife, Kristin, and their daughter, Warner; Kristopher Babic and wife, Sarah Menard; David Babic and wife, Katie, and their children Wyatt and Adele; Cassie Babic and her children Austin Bresett and Madison; Thea Babic; Jesse Crossman; Dylan Crossman; Clay Babic; Jintina Sundarabhaya and Narin Rico Sundarabhaya, as well as by many nieces and nephews and by his loving companion, Yvette Demers. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers George and Peter and sister Elsie. The family thanks the wonderful caregivers at Lincoln House and Rowan Court for their care and support since Rico's return to Vermont in May. A funeral mass and services will be held later this summer. Contributions in Rico's honor can be made to Central Vermont Catholic School, 79 Summer St. #2, Barre, VT 05641; to Lincoln House, Resident Activity Fund, 120 Hill St., Barre, VT 05641 or to Rowan Court Health and Rehabilitation Center, Resident Activity Fund, 378 Prospect St., Barre, VT 05641.