South Royalton, VT – It is with sadness that the family of Donald C. Lovejoy announces his passing on October 25, 2025 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH. Don was born in Hanover, NH on September 2, 1944 to Charles and Beatrice Lovejoy. He attended public schools in South Royalton graduating from high school there in the class of 1962. Following high school he attended Vermont Technical College in Randolph earning an Associate’s degree in Agriculture. In 1965 he entered the U.S. Air Force and served his active duty at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. He attained the rank of staff sergeant (E5) and was honorably discharged in 1968. His role there as a plumbing instructor garnered him an Instructor of the Year award.
Upon completion of his military service, and following the death of his father Charles in 1969, he and his mother Bea moved to Keene, New Hampshire where Don attended Keene State College. There he earned a B.S. in Education, majoring in industrial arts. While in Keene he used his mechanical skills working part-time for the City doing repair and maintenance of equipment for the Parks and Recreation Department.
In 1974 Bea and Don returned to the family farm in East Barnard and Don began his role as an industrial arts teacher at South Royalton High School where he taught for five years. Many community members are former students of Don and his expertise with all things mechanical was well known in the area. After he left teaching he joined Welch Brothers Hardware in South Royalton where he assisted with customer service, ordering equipment and training new employees in the Service Department. Perhaps many people knew him as the “go to” guy for sales and service of lawn and garden equipment. He continued to work in this capacity for Aubuchon Hardware when they took over the business. Throughout his tenure he continued to stay abreast of new technologies earning certifications in several.
Don was an active member of the community. He was a member of the East Barnard Grange, the Broad Brook Fire Association and served on the Royalton Planning Commission for four years. At the time of his death he was serving as clerk of the Prudential Board of Royalton Fire District #1. He became a Master Mason and was a long-time member of Rising Sun Masonic Lodge No. 7, South Royalton where he was elevated to Office of Worshipful Master in 1991, serving in that office for four years.
Don is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by various cousins.
Arrangements are under the direction of Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, Vermont. Calling hours will be held Friday, November 7th, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held at the East Barnard Church, East Barnard, Vermont on Saturday, November 8th, 2025 at 11:00am; followed by interment at Pine Hill Cemetery in Sharon, Vermont and then a fellowship gathering at the Red Door Church in South Royalton, Vermont.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com.
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