BARRE – Chef Donald Ray Dick, “Don,” 76, a longtime resident of Queen Street, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.

Born on August 20, 1949, in Carlisle, PA, he was the beloved son of Sarah Dick. He graduated from Carlisle High School in 1969 where he had faced doubters and discrimination. Following graduation, Don pursued his passion for the culinary arts and quickly rose to the ranks to chef. Don opened his first restaurant, The House of Pizza at the age of 19 while still in Carlisle, PA. He moved to Vermont and opened his first Del’s Pizza and Subs, in Barre in February of 1976 and his second location in Essex Junction in 1978. Don renovated the takeout location in Barre to a sit-down location and renamed it Del’s Pizza and Pasta House. He continued to run both operations through the early 1990’s and continued at the Barre location until April of 2008 with his wife, Donna, by his side.

When Don met Donna Keefe, he found the yin to his yang. Their partnership remained steadfast for 40 years. On October 13, 1990, Don and the former Donna Keefe were married in a joyous ceremony held in Waitsfield. The two split their time between their home in Jericho and the restaurant apartment in Barre until ultimately making their home on Queen Street in Barre to this day.

Survivors include his cherished wife, Donna, sisters-in-law Doreen Keefe, Eileen Roach, Kathleen Roach, Kimmie Vespa, Lynne Donaldson and Molly LaMountain, his brothers-in-law Patrick Keefe and Sean Bedard, his nieces and nephews Elizabeth Keefe, who he raised as a daughter, Christina Cornell, Emma Roach, Aidan Keefe, Regan Keefe and Kaylee Willette, his chosen son, Ricky Davis, his grandchildren Xavier, Indigo, Zachary, Harper and Geneva, his treasured lifelong friends, Terry and Bonnie Paraschos and his chosen brother and verbal sparring partner, Grant Blow.

Don was predeceased by his mother, Sarah, his mother-in-law Mary Roach, and his fathers-in law, Jack Keefe and John Roach, Sr. his brothers-in-law Bruce, Kevin, Danny, John Jr. and Jim, his uncle Rev. Daniel Keefe as well as his nephew Timmothy.

Don never met a stranger and if he considered you his friend, that was for life. Whether he was mentoring the countless staff he trained in the culinary arts over the years that became family, hosting family gatherings, spending time with the guys at the Mutuo, watching his beloved NY Yankees, playing golf, entertaining the nieces and grandchildren, fishing, playing cribbage, or traveling, Don was always present, quick with a comment and lovingly unpredictable. Don’s legacy is in the love of his wife, family and friends, and the love for his Barre community where he had the pleasure of creating meals and memories for over four decades.

The family would like to thank you the nurses and doctors who cared for Don, especially Wendy Herring who held daily check-ins for the last 3 years.

Friends and family may call on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral home, 7 Academy Street, Barre from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 1:30, with a service to begin at 1:30. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow at Gusto’s on Prospect Street in Barre.

Donations may be made for the convenience of the family or the charity of one’s choice.