Jean Diambou, 69, died on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 22nd, 2018, after a 24-day long post-operative stay at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC).

He was born in Democratic Republic of Congo (Former Leo Ouest), but was raised in the Republic of Congo. He was the son of Moulambi Honorine and Diambou Jean. Mr. Diambou was the 3rd child in the family of 8.

Jean Diambou, known as Jean-Rene to his friends and family, graduated from High school in 1970. He then traveled to France and studied at the University Paris 1-Sorbonne France, where he earned a Masters in Economic Sciences, in 1977.

He worked as an accounting technician at the Societe Parisienne de Manutention et d'Equipement, Paris-France for 3 years (1981 to 1984). In 1984, he enrolled in the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers de Paris, and completed a masters in accounting. Back in the Congo, in 1987, he worked in a leadership position, as the Human Resource and Financial Director with the Air France company for the next 13 years (1987-2010).

He met his wife, Virginie Kaoudi, in the Congo, where they got married on November 22nd, 1996. For safety reasons (an ethnic war in the Congo), he separated from his family in 1998. He got his family to relocate to the Ivory Coast, Africa. In 2005, his family resettled in Vermont-USA, as a result of a war in the host country, the Ivory Coast. In 2010, he reunited with his loved ones in Vermont, where he has lived since.

On his quest to learn the English language, he decided to enroll in Accounting courses at the Community College of Vermont (CCV). He completed his Associate degree in Accounting, earning a spot on both the President and Dean's lists throughout his studies, in 2014.

Jean Rene Diambou has always been an avid supporter of his children's academic goals and dreams, discussing with them, advising, coaching, tutoring and encouraging them. He was always calm and patient with them, a very loving and caring father. He was a gourmet, a "cordon bleu", very adventurous when it came to trying new recipes. He enjoyed reading, had extended knowledge on every subject, therefore, able to discuss every topic.

Jean Rene is preceded by his two brothers and sister, Diambou Bakotila Rigobert, Diambou Paulin, Diambou Berthe. His mother Moulambi Honorine and father Diambou Jean.

He is survived by his loving wife, Virginie Diambou. His four daughters: Vanessa Diambou, Audrey Diambou, Fleur Diambou and Johanne Diambou, as well as his son, Hermes Ulrich Diambou. His three sisters Micheline, Therese, and Jeanine, as well as his brother Christophe. He was fortunate enough to have and leaves behind numerous friends, all over the world, who were supportive and loving throughout his life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 7th, at 10:00 am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with the burial following at the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, in Winooski.

Calling hours will be on the preceding day, Thursday the 6th, from 4-7pm at the LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, on Main Street in Winooski. Condolences may be shared at www.lavignefuneralhome.com.

We will always carry his memory in our hearts and his words of wisdom will never be forgotten.