05/23/2026
Springfield.
Don David Thomas, 82, cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather and a lifelong member of the Springfield community, passed away peacefully at his home on May 22, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Springfield on November 18, 1943, Don's life was marked by dedication to family, faith, work, and the hobbies he loved most.
Don's early years were shaped by the town of Springfield, a globally vibrant machine manufacturing center at the time of Don's graduation from Springfield High School in 1961. Don went into the co-op program and worked for decades as an engineer and machinist at Bryant Grinder. He developed lifelong friendships and enjoyed traveling the world to set up Bryant machines.
Don married his high school sweetheart, Lorette (LeBlanc) in 1962, and the couple enjoyed more than 60 years of marriage all in Springfield, raising their family of four children with love and a spirit of adventure.
Family meant the world to Don and he was never happier than when surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Don was a dedicated coach to youth teams when his own kids were playing and loved watching all his kids and grandkids competing in games from basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer & baseball to dance & horseback riding.
Don especially enjoyed sharing his passion for hunting with his sons and as soon as the hunting season opened in the fall, Don could be found in the woods waiting patiently for 'the big one' to appear. Don loved sharing hunting stories, some possibly exaggerated, with anyone willing to listen and revel in the great outdoors with him.
Another passion for Don was his love of golf. Don was an avid golfer, either in Vermont as a member at the Rockingham Country Club or in Winter Haven, Florida, where he and Lorette would winter at their home on a small course. Don participated in countless scrambles, mixed doubles and member-guest tournaments with his wife and anyone else brave enough to join him. Despite never quite making it onto the PGA Tour, Don's enthusiasm for the game was unmatched. So many of his lifelong friendships continued on the golf course.
In his retirement years, Don took great pride in always having the most pristine lawn in the neighborhood and the sharpest lines and corners on his trimmed hedges. Don loved playing cards and never missed an opportunity to beat an opponent in Pitch or Oh Hell, where he always seemed to have just the right bet or that elusive 9 up his sleeve.
Don is survived by his wife, Lorette Thomas; his sister Sandy Pickering (Husband Austin), his brother Alan Thomas (wife Sandy); his sons Don Thomas Jr (wife Tami) and Jeff Thomas (wife Jill); and his daughter Nicole Thomas-Demeritt (wife Christine). His legacy lives on with his 10 grandchildren: Cliff Jones, Greer Brown (husband Ethan), Taylor Lavanovich (husband Alex), Kyle Stebbins, Leah Thomas, Reigan Thomas, Griffin Thomas, Calen Thomas, Rowan Thomas-Demeritt and Zelia Thomas-Demeritt - and 6 great-grandchildren: Alexis Jones, Cliff Jones Jr., Adley Brown, Luca Lavanovich, Emery Brown and Aven Lavanovich.
Special gratitude & thanks to his brother Alan and the Crowley, Hadley, Hatt & Kelly families for their support. Also, to the Hospice angels & Aunt Tuffy who helped watch over him and his family for the past several weeks. Truly AMAZING people!
In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his daughter Sue Thomas-Stebbins along with brother Tom and sister Joyce.
A private family burial will be planned later.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Precision Museum in his memory.
Mail – A.P.M. PO Box 679, Windsor, VT 05089
https://americanprecision.org/donation/
Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. is assisting with arrangements.
Please view Don's guest book at the link below:
https://www.davismemorialchapel.net/obituary/don-thomas-sr
