Donald Frederick Albin

After nearly 92 years on this Earth, Donald Frederick Albin of Manchester, Vermont died on October 12, 2024 at Equinox Terrace in Manchester, Vermont. Donald was born on December 19, 1932 in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, the second child of Thelma Hart and Frederick Raymond Albin.

Donald spent his early life living with on his grandparents farm which had no running water or electricity, and the first transportation he owned was not a car, but a horse. He attended Whitinsville, MA school and left school before graduating to join the carnival “because his sister annoyed him”. Donald was a lively storyteller and frequently recounted his adventures with the carnival.

Donald enlisted in the in the Air Force at age 19.  He served from 1952 to 1955. Donald was trained by the Seabees in construction before being deployed to Korea in July 1953.  In Korea, he served with the 10th Liaison Squadron at APO 970 Seoul Air Base. His experiences in Korea were difficult, and after nearly a year there, Donald returned to the US and was discharged in 1955.

Donald returned home to Uxbridge, Massachusetts and soon began dating Amey Ann Lapham. They married on June 25, 1955 and had five children: Deborah Lou (Albin) Shea, Cindy Lee (Albin) Hallett, Bonnie Jean (Albin) Berard, Mark Donald Albin and Erica Ann (Albin) Marthage. Donald used the skills he had learned in the service and became a talented  finish carpenter. He worked in construction throughout his life.  One of his notable achievements was building a home for his family in North Smithfield, Rhode Island using only hand tools.

In addition to construction, Donald was an avid sportman his entire life. He regularly hunted in the Stratton, Vermont area in the 1960s and loved Vermont for its natural beauty. Donald and Amey permanently relocated from Massachusetts to Vermont in 1980 during the boom in construction in the Stratton/Manchester area. Donald developed a number of lifelong friends in the construction trade and worked on a number notable local projects. Ever a lover of the outdoors, Donald enjoyed the Equinox Pond area when it was still privately owned, hunting and fishing there.   Although not formally educated, Donald could play both the accordion and harmonica by ear, and played them well.

Donald retired at age 62, which allowed him to spend more time fishing, shooting archery and devoting time to the renovation of his daughter Erica’s home in Manchester. Donald loved dogs, particularly German Shephards, as wells as cats, and always kept pets right up to his death. He also continued to be a dedicated hunter, fisherman and to shoot archery into his 80s.

Donald is survived by his wife Amey, his children Cindy, Bonnie, Mark and Erica, twelve grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his daughter Deborah Shea, his grandson Clint Rossi and his grandson Mark Barry.

There will be no public service for Donald. For those who desire to make a gift in his name, the family requests that contributions be made to the scholarship fund at the Manchester Rod & Gun Club.