Don Leonard Emerson died peacefully at Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton, VT on November 12 at the age of 79, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Don is survived by his sons, Jeff (Clare) and Seth (Deb); his former wife, Rickie Emerson; his twin brother, Jon (Betsy), brothers, Russell (Barbara) and Barry (Karen); his sister, Candice (Richard); his grandchildren, Jake & Abi; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was born on September 2, 1939 in Springfield, VT to Sibyl (Leonard) & Waldo Emerson and attended Springfield High School, where he excelled in basketball and football, proudly winning two state Division 1 basketball championships and representing Vermont in the 1957 Shrine Bowl game. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he earned a basketball scholarship, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. After 30 years as a manager at IBM, Don moved to Florida where he enjoyed the happy life of a retiree before returning to his native Vermont in 2014.
Don was happiest when spending time with his grandchildren in London or when at the family camp in Jaffrey, NH, where he loved judging the quality of his sons', nieces' and nephews' dives (always giving more 'ones' then 'tens'), and playing cards for hours when he wasn't re-telling the story of the time he shot baskets with one of his heroes, Bob Cousy, in the Boston Garden, claiming every parquet square made a different noise when the ball hit the floor. His charm, easy smile, and quick wit will be missed.
The family will be celebrating a private service but condolences may be sent to 53 Ward Street, Burlington, VT, 05401.
The family was assisted by Elmwood Meunier Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don's name to the Alzheimer's Association:
https://www.alz.org/vermont
 | ||||
|
(Click on photos to enlarge)
No comments:
Post a Comment