Donald P. Vilmar

CENTER RUTLAND, Vt. and BOLTON LANDING, N.Y. Donald P. Vilmar, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Born on Sept. 9, 1933, in Ridgewood, N.J., he was the son of the late Frederick T. and Elizabeth Vilmar of Mahwah, N.J. Don graduated from Ramsey High School in 1951, and Nichols College in 1954. After college, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe as an MP, reaching the rank of sergeant. His working life took him through a host of experiences starting as "Gandy Dancer" supervisor for the Erie Rail Road. He spent two years as sales liaison for the Ford Motor Company followed by several years in sales management in the airline industry. He then followed the dream of owning his own business. He opened a travel agency in Mahwah, N.J., which he ran for sixteen years. Upon selling the agency, Don dabbled in real estate and became a school bus driver in Mahwah, N.J., as well as Vermont. At the time of his death, he was employed by The Sagamore in Bolton Landing as a Captain on The Morgan as well as a bus driver for the city of Rutland. In addition to his career Don was also involved in a great deal of volunteer organizations. He was a member of the Mahwah, N.J. volunteer fire department for 52 years during which time he served as fire chief and was a county fire instructor. In addition, he was also a member of the volunteer ambulance corps and heavy rescue squad. He served on the Mahwah Planning Board, was on the Board of Health, a charter member of the Mahwah Lions Club, president of the Chamber of Commerce, director of the Ramsey, N.J. Rotary Club, coached his son's little league teams and was 1982 Citizen of the Year in Mahwah, N.J. After moving from New Jersey to Vermont, Don joined the Free Masons and was elevated to the Shriners of Mount Sinai No. 3 reaching the pinnacle in The Royal Order of Jesters in Montpelier, Vt. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Dorothy Snow Vilmar; his son, Donald and wife, Pam, and grandsons, Brian and Kyle of Diamond Point, N.Y.; his son, David and wife, Kathy, and granddaughter, Emily of Glens Falls, N.Y.; his daughter, Debbie Vilmar, of Glens Falls, N.Y.; sister, Jane Vilmar of Ramsey, N.J.; and sister, Sally Shawley of Orofino, Idaho. A private memorial was held at the family camp on Lake George on June 13, 2008. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Mahwah Fire Company No. 1, 100 Miller Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Arrangements are under the direction of Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queens- bury.

This obituary was originally published in the Post Star.