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Kidder
Memorial Home |
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DATELINE: Fletcher Donald
French Kinsley, 95, a lifelong resident of Fletcher, VT passed away
peacefully at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans on Monday morning,
July 26, 2010 following a long period of declining health. Don was born
in Fletcher June 27, 1915 the only son of Oscar and Iva (French)
Kinsley. He celebrated his 95th
birthday on June 27, 2010 with family and friends and really enjoyed seeing
everyone. As a young
man, Don worked in sawmills and with his dad on the family farm,
Fernhill. After his dad passed on in
1939, he ran the farm to support his mother.
He loved making maple syrup and even worked at it, with help into his
late 80’s claiming his was the “Best Syrup in Vermont”. Don married
Mildred Baraw on September 27, 1944 in Johnson. Together they farmed for many years and
raised 4 children. Don also drove
school bus for the town of Fletcher during that time. After they sold the farm in the 1970’s, Don
worked at Bell Gates Lumber Co. in Jeffersonville as a fork lift operator,
retiring at the age of 75. On July 23, 1977,
Don married Florence Willequer in Bakersfield, thus becoming stepdad to 5
children. Don loved his
life very much and loved his wives, sisters, children, stepchildren and
grandchildren unconditionally and we all returned that love. Family and friends for many years were on
the receiving end of little gifts from him.
Valentine candies, Christmas magazines, spring maple syrup and summer
strawberries and honey. He loved
traveling the roads of Vermont and trips to Upcountry Motors to check out the
latest Subarus that his friend Bruce had on the lot. Also he and Florence
made a few trips to California to visit sister, Alice. He always had a pet dog by his side over
the years, the latest one being “Princess-Skipper”. Don is
survived by his wife, Florence, son; Leon Kinsley, 3 daughters; Donna (Jerry)
Papariello and their son Michael (Beth) who is serving his country in Afghanistan
and their children Kevin and Kyra, Joan (Robert) Hanson, Betty Tassie and her
children Elizabeth and James, a sister; Ethel Hunter and several nieces,
nephews, cousins and sister and brothers-in-law. He also
leaves a step-son; Paul Willequer and his daughter, Mariah, his
step-daughters; Mary Morris and her children, Micah Erno, who is serving his
country in Afghanistan, Megan Juaire and her children, Alaina and Marley,
David (Domonic) Erno and son Dezmere, Kim Willequer and her children Malissa
Willequer and her son Lucas, and Jesse Wells, Susan (Tony) Lapan and her
children Shashanah and Rebecca Kennet, Bonnie (Kevin) Root and her children Jeremy,
Nicholas and Jessica Dickson. Donald was
predeceased by his parents, Iva and Oscar, his first wife, Mildred, an infant
son, Oscar Frank and his sister, Alice
Wells Planck who died just 11 days ago at age 99. In 2009,
after a fall, Don’s health deteriorated and he went to live at St. Albans Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center where
wonderful care was extended to him. He
came to like his “apartment” and made friends there. The family extends sincere thanks to all the
staff for making the past year an easier time for all of us with your
kindness, patience and professionalism.
Those who
wish may make gifts in Don’s memory to the Activities Department at St.
Albans Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, c/o Cindy Schneider, 596 Sheldon
Road, St. Albans 05478. To offer private online condolences
please visit: www.kiddermemorialhome.com A notice of Funeral Held will be
posted at the above funeral home website following the funeral. |
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