Donald  LABRIE

Donald was the second child in a family of 7 children. His father was a sailor in WWII. The family kept in contact with their dad through beautiful hand written letters. Donald lost is father at the age of 10 at the end of the war. He had good grades in Catholic School and loved to read.

He had to stop school when he was 13 years old, to go to work and help his mother support the family. At age 17 he joined the Army and served in the Korean War. Writing many letters home, especially to his sweetheart Rita Vincent who was a his little sister Doris's best friend.

Once he was honorably discharged from the US Army he proposed to Rita. They were married in 1954.

In the beginning it was a struggle to make enough money but his outgoing personality led him to a very successful sales career and he became known as a master salesman, nicknamed "Donald Duck." He won many trips and bonuses and was able to travel the world with Rita by his side.

In 1963, they bought their first home on Cilley Rd In Manchester NH with a large backyard for the kids. They brought up 6 Children (Diane, Robert, Cindy, Donald LaBrie, Frank and Claire) in this house, and they attended St. Teresa's Parish, where the kids started school. In this very busy home, Don worked extra hours to make sure his kids had more than he did; like bikes, motorcycles, mini bikes, bebe guns, animals, cars and great vacations.

Many families of the neighborhood became close to the LaBrie's. Having six children made it hard to work outside of the home so Rita was lead to start a home day care. She watched between 4-16 children besides her own. Later, Donald and Rita enjoyed 11 grandchildren which became a part of the Daycare and 12 great-grandchildren. Donald retired from selling cars in 1995 and helped his wife Rita carry out her duties with the day care on Cilley Rd.

Don had three sisters, Doris, Helen and Toni and three brothers, Frank, Armand, and Maurice. They all had many children of their own. There were many large gatherings and celebrations for this large Catholic Family, where all 14 Adults and 27 children got together.

In 1996, the City of Manchester, awarded Donald with an honorable high school diploma. In 2001, the couple closed the Daycare and sold their house on Cilley Rd to their daughter. They began a very active retirement. Donald was always young at heart. He became a Gold Medalist in the senior olympics; a dedicated blood donor, with hobbies in speed walking, golfing and bowling. Together Don & Rita traveled across the country, and did many volunteer projects with the Precious Blood Monastery, handling donations from B.J.'s bakery to the Liberty House, and Senior Center. Rita and Don acted as caretakers for the veterans section of Mount Calvary Cemetery. Don had a vital role in the 100 Nights of Remembrance honors at the cemetery. He was a proud veteran and was honored that his image is a part of the Korean War monument at the N.H. Veterans Cemetery.