1936
Don
2024
J. Donald Plourde
May 7, 1936 — April 29, 2024
Joseph Donald Plourde was born May 7, 1936 in Stockholm, Maine to Florent and Leontine Plourde. The youngest of eleven children, he was always called Don by his family and friends. Growing up in Stockholm, he worked on the family farmstead as a member of a large close-knit extended family. Even after leaving the farm to seek higher education and marry Viola (nee Lachance), Don’s strong ties to family members remained vital throughout his lifetime.
Always a hard worker, Don succeeded in graduating with degrees from both Northeastern University (BS in Finance and Insurance/ROTC program) and Western New England University (MBA). He also served a tour of duty as a Captain in the U.S. Army and later served as a U.S. Army reservist. Don had a long and distinguished career; first as a financial officer at Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company then as the Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Tax Collector for the Town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
His passions included family, church and community. He enjoyed organizing family trips and supporting his wife and children in their individual passions. For his church, he taught catechism and was active in the Knights of Columbus as a fourth-degree knight. In his community, Don volunteered with Junior Achievement, MS Society, Scouting, Meals on Wheels, Lakewood Ranch Hospital to name only a few. In retirement, he stayed active building model planes and ships, writing his autobiography and reading avidly.
Don died peacefully on April 29, 2024 at Kobacker Hospice House in Columbus, Ohio surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his first wife Viola, son Michael, parents Leontine and Florent, and siblings Candide, Irene (Queenie), Orilla, Marie Velma (died in infancy), Velma, Mildred, Allen, and Theresa (Terry).
He is survived by his devoted second wife Jean (nee Fry) of Hilliard, Ohio; daughter Teri Callender (Dan Callender) of Sarasota, Florida; son Philip Plourde (Robin Voster) and grandson Erik Plourde of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brothers Alfred “Pete” Plourde of Seffner, Florida and Gregory Plourde of Stockholm, Maine.
Above all, Don will be remembered as a loving, caring and proper gentleman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Don on Wednesday, May 8th at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 12905 SR 70 E in Lakewood Ranch, FL. A gathering will be at 10:00 AM and the mass will begin at 10:30 AM. A luncheon will follow the mass. At 1:00 PM, a processional will leave the church for Don's interment, with military honors, at the Sarasota National Cemetery. The family thanks everyone for their prayers and support during this time and for all kindnesses given to Don and his family throughout his long life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kobacker Hospice House in Columbus, Ohio or the Knights of Columbus Council #3192 at Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Always a hard worker, Don succeeded in graduating with degrees from both Northeastern University (BS in Finance and Insurance/ROTC program) and Western New England University (MBA). He also served a tour of duty as a Captain in the U.S. Army and later served as a U.S. Army reservist. Don had a long and distinguished career; first as a financial officer at Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company then as the Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Tax Collector for the Town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
His passions included family, church and community. He enjoyed organizing family trips and supporting his wife and children in their individual passions. For his church, he taught catechism and was active in the Knights of Columbus as a fourth-degree knight. In his community, Don volunteered with Junior Achievement, MS Society, Scouting, Meals on Wheels, Lakewood Ranch Hospital to name only a few. In retirement, he stayed active building model planes and ships, writing his autobiography and reading avidly.
Don died peacefully on April 29, 2024 at Kobacker Hospice House in Columbus, Ohio surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his first wife Viola, son Michael, parents Leontine and Florent, and siblings Candide, Irene (Queenie), Orilla, Marie Velma (died in infancy), Velma, Mildred, Allen, and Theresa (Terry).
He is survived by his devoted second wife Jean (nee Fry) of Hilliard, Ohio; daughter Teri Callender (Dan Callender) of Sarasota, Florida; son Philip Plourde (Robin Voster) and grandson Erik Plourde of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brothers Alfred “Pete” Plourde of Seffner, Florida and Gregory Plourde of Stockholm, Maine.
Above all, Don will be remembered as a loving, caring and proper gentleman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Don on Wednesday, May 8th at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 12905 SR 70 E in Lakewood Ranch, FL. A gathering will be at 10:00 AM and the mass will begin at 10:30 AM. A luncheon will follow the mass. At 1:00 PM, a processional will leave the church for Don's interment, with military honors, at the Sarasota National Cemetery. The family thanks everyone for their prayers and support during this time and for all kindnesses given to Don and his family throughout his long life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kobacker Hospice House in Columbus, Ohio or the Knights of Columbus Council #3192 at Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
To send flowers to the family in memory of J. Donald Plourde, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Mass
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)
Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church
A gathering will begin at 10:00 AM. Processional to the cemetery will commence at 1:00 PM.
Father Alan Baldarelli will be the celebrant.
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