Lawrence "Buster" Donlon

Enosburg Falls

Lawrence Buster M. Donlon passed away the first day of Spring March 20, 2009 at the Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington.

Buster was born in Richford, Vermont April 10, 1921 to the late Martin P. Donlon and Augustine (Hurtubise) Donlon. Buster was three years old when his father was tragically killed in an automobile accident. This tragedy left Buster and his sister Beatrice very close throughout their lives. Later Busters mother married Joseph E. Martel.

Buster was a graduate of Richford High School. Immediately after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving during World War II in the 1st Army medical division, ETO. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge.After his honorable discharge from the service he became proprietor of Dons Grill and Bar in Richford, Vermont. At this time he met a nurse from Enosburg Falls, Vermont, Charlotte Leach. Their first date was a basketball game between Richford and Enosburg played in Richford. Buster married Charlotte Leach October 14, 1951. They moved to Enosburg Falls where Buster became proprietor of the Enosburg Lockers retiring in 1988.

He had a genuine fondness for people always ready to pass the time of day and to tell a story.Buster had a green thumb as he and Charlotte cultivated prize winning gladiolus and later tea roses that he shared with many. He spent several enjoyable years assisting his son, Bill in showing their beautiful registered Quarter horses. He was also known as Mr. Fix-It for his grandchildren, Seth and Kate. At the age of eighty years with the encouragement of his brother-in-law, Buzzy Leach, he took up the game of golf. He was a member of the Enosburg Falls Lions Club and the American Legion Post 42.

Buster leaves his wife Charlotte (Leach) Donlon; a son Bill and his wife Cheryl (Southwell) Donlon of Berkshire. Two special grandchildren, Seth William Donlon (a midshipman at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland) and Kate Donlon of Berkshire (a senior at Richford High School); their mother Heather Skilling of Richford; step grandchildren, Jeremy Southwell, Joshua Southwell and his wife Michelle; step great grandson Geoffrey Southwell all of Colchester; his sister Beatrice Hoffman of Boca Raton, Florida; brother-in-law Gus Doucas of Cooperstown, New York; brother-in-law Howard Buzzy Leach and his wife Louise of Enosburg, brother-in-law Tony Michel of Rutland; and several nephews and nieces that he loved and was so proud of.

He is predeceased by his brother, Martin Donlon and his wife Audree, half-sister Joyce (Martel) Doucas, step-brothers Lawrence Seguin, Albert (Pit) Martel, John Martel, Levi Martel and step-sisters Annette Seguin, Gertrude Martel Landry and Genevive Martel Jacobs, and sister-in law Sabra (Leach) Michel.

At Busters request he is being cremated. A graveside service will be held Saturday May 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Sheldon Village Cemetery with Rev. Jon Bly officiating. There will be no visiting hours.

For expressions of sympathy, Busters family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans., Vermont 05478.

TO THOSE I LOVE AND THOSE THAT LOVE ME

When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You mustnt tie yourself to me with tears:
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love: you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love we each have shown.
Bust now its time I traveled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
Its only for awhile that we must part;

So bless the memories with-in your heart.
I wont be far away, for life goes on;
So if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you cant see or touch me,
Ill be near-
And if you listen with your heart, youll hear
All my love around you, soft and clear.
And then when you must come this way alone,
Ill greet you with a smile, and
WELCOME HOME