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Donald Raymond Bissonnette, of Shelburne, VT, passed away suddenly on Friday September 1, 2023. Born on
November 25, 1932, Donald grew up at 83 Fremont Street in Claremont, NH. He raised his family in Franklin, MA and since lived in New Canaan, CT and Shelburne, VT. From 1964 to 1998, he was the proprietor of Don’s Barber Shop in Medway, MA.
He is survived by his wife Emiko M. Bissonnette with whom he celebrated his 68th wedding anniversary on August 27, 2023. They were married at the Catholic Chapel at Johnson Air Force Base in Hoshinomiya, Japan by Fr John Hickey (Chaplain 1st Lt) from Missouri. When living in Franklin, MA, Don and Emiko were parishioners at St Brendan’s Church in Bellingham, MA.
Donald was the son of Joseph M. Bissonnette, deceased August 9, 1953, and Laurina (Lavaude) Bissonnette, deceased February 8, 1983. Donald was predeceased by two brothers, Albert who lived in Attleboro, MA and Amos who lived in Hartford, CT. and one sister, Anita Dubreuil of Guild, NH.
In addition to his wife, Emiko, Donald is survived by his two daughters, Dona M Bissonnette of Ludlow, VT and Brenda Cohen of Yorktown Heights, NY and six grandchildren, Samantha Curt of Payson, UT, Jennifer Curt of Washington, DC, Sarah Schmidt of El Paso, TX, Tyler Cohen of New Mexico, Alex Cohen of Colorado and Jared Cohen of Boston, MA.
Donald graduated from St Mary’s Catholic High School in Claremont, NH (class of 1952) where he played baseball and basketball. During high school, Don excelled as a short stop, batting over 300 all four years. In his senior year, St Mary’s won the New Hampshire State Class B Championship, the school’s first.
Donald served in the United States Air Force July 1952 to August 1956, during the Korean Conflict. His basic training in Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, NY, was followed by AeroMed training in Montgomery, AL. Following his first assignment at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, the majority of his service was assisting flight surgeons at Johnson Air Force Base in Japan. Don was recognized as Airman of the Month in January 1955.
A funeral mass is planned for Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 2pm at St Catherine of Siena, 72 Church Street, Shelburne, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USO. Arrangements are in care of Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, VT.
