ABOVE: Bill and Jacky Thibault help keep Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament vibrant with all the ministries in which they participate. They were honored by the diocese in December with the Immaculata Award for their volunteerism.
Bill Thibault retired in 2012, but he apparently doesn’t know the meaning of relaxation. Though he doesn’t work professionally anymore, he’s very busy in our parish volunteering in a number of capacities, including leading our Parish Festival. He and his wife, Jacky, were honored in December with the Immaculata Award for their volunteerism.
You were a Utica firefighter for 32 years. Describe what that job was like and what satisfaction you received from it.
It was a very physical job. I enjoyed the fact we were helping others.
You do custom leather work and sell your wares at craft shows. Please describe what you do and why you do it.
I do custom leatherwork as a small side business — mostly belts, wallets, gun holsters and guitar straps. It is very therapeutic and it keeps me busy in the winter months.
You and Jacky have been married for 46 years. Tell us how you met.
We met at a bar in Yorkville during a CB Radio meeting. I asked her out on a few dates, and we got along very well. Engaged in 1978; married on Sept. 15, 1979.
You guys like to travel. Your favorite spots are the Caribbean, Alaska and Nova Scotia. Why those places?
Cruises! We love cruises.
You volunteer in our parish in varied capacities. You have been an usher for more than 20 years, a member and president of the Parish Council since 2010, parish delegate to the Diocesan Parish Council since 2016, past trustee of the parish, volunteer worker of the festival since 1979, and have been festival chairman for the past three years and will be in charge again for this year’s festival. Why do you volunteer so much?
I have always volunteered for the festival since I got married, and after I retired in 2012. I helped set up and take down the festival. Five years ago, I took over the chairmanship after the COVID shutdown of 2020. If I didn’t do that, the festival might not have happened.
You and your wife were the parish recipients of the 2025 Immaculata Award from the diocese. What does that award mean to you?
We were both surprised that we got nominated as this year’s recipients from our parish. We were not looking to be rewarded for our work, but the recognition is truly acceptable.
What would you say to other parishioners about the importance of getting involved?
How would you like to be remembered by our parish and your family? Someone who steps up to help others and continues a long tradition of things.
Bill Thibault
- Age: 71.
- Family: Wife Jacquelyn, daughter Cathy Philo, four grandchildren.
- Former occupations: CB Radio sales and installations 1975 to 1980; firefighter with City of Utica 1980 to 2012; 911 dispatcher part time for City of Utica 1987 to 2012; independent loss control insurance inspector 1984-2004; currently employed as an usher at Utica Memorial Auditorium since 2010
- Education: St. Peter’s School in North Utica; graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1972.
- Things you like to do in your spare time: Watching the Yankees, going to car shows with my classic convertible in the summer.
- Hobbies: I do custom leather work — belts, wallets and holsters. Cooking and grilling in the summer
- Places you like to travel: Cruising the Caribbean, Alaska and Nova Scotia.
- Favorite kind of music: Anything from the Beatles, country.
- Favorite foods: Italian, bacon, seafood, bacon (Did I mention BACON!!)