Donald R. Denko

GRANITEVILLE – Donald R. Denko, 84, of Baptist Street, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the Woodridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin.

Born December 21, 1935 in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of Andrew and Marie (Marsh) Denko, Sr.   In his early years, his family moved to Brookfield, VT and he attended local elementary schools before graduating from Randolph High School. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corp in March of 1954 and served until he was honorably discharged in March of 1962.

On August 25, 1956 he married Eleanor Murray in Brookfield, following their marriage they made their home in Graniteville.

Donald was employed by Aja’s TV, Montgomery Wards, Ormsby’s and Tatro’s Aces and he served as a Washington County Deputy Sheriff and as a special officer of the Barre Town Police Department before retiring.   He also worked many years at Thunder Road.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Graniteville, co-founder of the Barre Town Thunder Chickens Snowmobile Club, and past President of the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST).

In his spare time, Donald enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, hunting, and the annual camping trip to Lake Sebago, Maine. He also travelled to Turkey to visit his daughter, Dawn.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Denko; his children Dawn St. John of Sumter, SC; Deborah (Evared) Shedd of Barre, VT; and Alan (Amy) Denko of Holland, MI; his grandchildren Sarah (Pat) York of Barre Town, VT; Matthew (Kelsie) Shedd of Graniteville, VT; Laura (Keith) Maselli of Mechanicsburg, PA; and Jessica Akers of Sterling, VA; eight great-grandchildren and his brother Roland (Bonnie) Denko of Burlington, WI.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings Andrew Denko, Jr., Arlene Trombley, and Robert Denko.

The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held in the Spring of 2021 at the convenience of his family.