Peter W. Doner Sr.
ENOSBURG FALLS: Peter W. Doner Sr., 75 passed away peacefully on Friday, December 2, 2022, after an 8-year struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 25, 1947, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Peter grew up in St. Albans and graduated from BFA in St. Albans in 1965. After graduation, Peter joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 as a Krypto Technician at a Communication base in Da Nang and was honorably discharged in 1971. Peter married Carol Ann Duprey on August 6, 1966. After being discharged from the military Peter worked for 44 years for Simplex Time Recorder Company, servicing fire alarms and security systems in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire. He retired in 2013.
Peter was also an Amateur Radio Operator from the young age of 16 and helped many youths in St. Albans and Enosburg learn to code and theory so they could get their license. Peter served on the Enosburgh Ambulance for over five years and the Jaycees branch in Enosburg Falls in the 70s. He looked forward to helping with local projects like the annual haunted house on Halloween, and the Fashion Show put on by Halvy’s Cafe to raise money for cancer research (of course he was dressed in ladies’ clothing while wearing a, preferably, blonde wig that always won the crowd).
When Peter wasn’t working or volunteering in his community, he loved gardening and was an early composter, taking pride in not using pesticides. He raised countless tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers to name just a few – more was always better. He believed in intensive gardening and packing as many plants as possible in a small area. Peter also found joy in the simpler things in life, enjoying coffee with his friends at Carney’s or Leon’s Diner, relaxing or napping while listening to his ham radio, or reading one of his favorite science fiction books by Tolkien or a mystery novel while munching on a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie made by Carol. Above all Peter enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years Carol Doner of Enosburg Falls; his children, Peter Doner Jr. of Enosburg Falls, Ember Nova Quinn of Milton, and Angie Conger and husband Bradly Conger Sr. of Berkshire; his grandchildren, Keith Jr, Finn, Devin, Andrew, Rubin, Isaiah, Noah, Bradly, and Bree; great-grandchildren, Easton and Oliver. He is also survived by his siblings, Denise Magnant and husband Larry, and Paul Thuot and his wife Jennifer; siblings-in-law, Robert Duprey and his wife Sharon, Linda Richard, Jo Ann Shedrick and her husband Carl, and Terri Goss and her husband Jack; and many nieces and nephews.
Peter was predeceased by his mother, Thelma Thuot; stepfather, Elphege Thuot; mother and father-in-law; Janet and Ernest Duprey; brother, Patrick R.Doner; and brother-in-law, Larry Richard.
For those who wish donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the Enosburg Falls Ambulance Services, P.O. Box 465, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450, and/or the Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle St. Albans, VT 05478.
Keeping with Peter’s wishes a celebration of life will be held privately in August 2023.
