Donald Encarnacion

Donald Encarnacion, 94, of Cabot, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 9, 2016 in St Johnsbury VT.  Born on May 25, 1922 in NYC, Donald grew up on the east side of Manhattan learning the value of determination, hard work, self-reliance, education, and compassion. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School.

Donald married his soul mate of 67 years, Mary Karakashian Encarnacion, on June 22, 1946. Mary passed away on Dec. 23, 2012. They lived in Manhattan, had two daughters, and then moved to Little Neck, Queens, Long Island to raise them in what was then the country.  In 1973 at age 51 he retired from the NYC Dept. of Sanitation, moved to Cabot, and together they built their new home on 19 acres across from Joe’s Pond. He loved being in the woods and created numerous trails and bridges on the property. Gardening was also a passion and in the greenhouse that he built, he and Mary would start their vegetables and flowers from seed and dry their herbs. Donald enjoyed working with wood and built cabinets and furniture for their home.

Trained as a Diesel Engineer and in Landing Craft Operations, Donald originally served in North Africa Operations and participated in the Invasion of Sicily and the landing at Anzio during WWII.  He retired from the Navy Reserve as a Master Chief Engineman in 1982.  Continuing to give back to his country Donald was a volunteer in the U.S. Naval Cadet Corps and instructed new recruits at the Naval Reserve Training Center in Huntington NY and Burlington VT.  A proud veteran, he participated in Veterans Day Parades into his 90’s. Donald also served as a guardian ad litem, Caledonia Family/Superior Court, from 1992-2001.

Donald Encarnacion will be remembered by his daughters Carol DeVries of Rural Hall NC, Dayne Encarnacion of Ridgefield CT, granddaughter Pilar, grandson Erich, relatives, friends, and those whose life he may have touched.

Interment with Military Honors will be at the Veterans Cemetery in Randolph, Vermont, Tuesday July 26 at 11AM.

Sayles Funeral Home of St. Johnsbury is assisting the family with arrangements.