Donald L. Munson

Donald L Munson, 80 of Kensington, CT passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2005. Born on September 6, 1925 in Wallingford, CT, he was the son of the late Harold and Nellie Munson. The family moved to Kensington in 1934, where they purchased the farm which became known as Maple Shade Farm. Don and his brother Norman took over the responsibility of the farm at a young age. For 45 years they co-owned one of the many Holstein Dairy farms in CT. His days of hard work, love of farming the land in Kensington and tending the Holstein dairy cows 7 days a week gave him great joy and pleasure. For over 20 years he was a 4-H club leader of the Kensington 4-H Dairy Club, in which he taught many local boys and girls his vast knowledge of dairy farming, gardening and showing cattle. In the fall of 1984 he semi-retired, sold the dairy cattle, but then enjoyed raising beef animals with his brother Norman. During his last years of farming he became great friends with Stanley Pac, whom he always called his "Right Hand Man". After Don's brother Norm passed away in August of 2001, and his dear wife June in February, 2002, he farmed one last season. Even after retiring, however, he still shared his knowledge of farming with two very special friends: Terry Hall & John Matulis, all the while wishing he could hop back up on his white tractor, bale hay and go for a ride one last time. In his years of farming he shared a great friendship with his close neighbor, Dave Alkas who was one of the original members of the 4-H club!. In fact, the two could often be seen in Dave's driveway; our Dad would say: "Oh, we were just BSing". Those times with Davey brought him great laughter. He gave his children and grandchildren an enormous life of love, teaching and caring, and he passed on his many one-liners to all. Don was a passionate and devoted UCONN Huskies basketball fan and had season tickets for both the men's and women's team going back 20 plus and 10 years respectively. In the last few years, while he was unable to attend many of the games, you couldn't interrupt him if there was a game on TV. You could only talk to him afterwards to discuss the game and review the highlights. Dad and Grandpa, you will be greatly missed for the endless love, caring and your off-the-wall jokes by family and many friends. Now you are at peace; go be with Mom. Don is survived by his four children: Alan Munson of Syracuse NY, Carol Stribula and her husband Charlie of Woodbridge, VA, Joy Gay and her husband Gary of Springfield, MA, and Sally Munson of Kensington. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jason Munson and his wife Amy and Jamie Munson, Chris and Melissa Choinski, Matthew Gay, Harrison and Maxwell Stribula and MayBeth Munson, and by a sister, Pat Peters of Kensington. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Anna June' Anderson, his brother Norman, and his sister Joan Tuz. We will miss you. Love, us. Memorial contributions may be made in Donald Munson's name to the Berlin Agricultural Lions Museum, P.O. Box 7284, Berlin, CT 06037. Calling hours will be Sunday, November 6, 2005 from 3 to 6 P.M. at the Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 South Main Street, New Britain. The funeral will be at 10 A.M. on Monday, November 7, 2005 at the Funeral Home followed by burial at The Maple Cemetery, Worthington Ridge, Berlin. We would like to extend a special Thank You' to the Nurses and Home Health Aides of Hospice of Central Connecticut. As a team they took wonderful care of our dear Dad and helped ease his passing and they were always there for us whenever we needed them. We also would like to extend a special thanks to our extended family and friends for their love and support.