Manton Harry LaFountain

DURHAM - Manton Harry LaFountain of Durham, formerly Northford, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. He was 89 years old.

He was born in Windsor, Vt., on Oct.16, 1924, a son of the late Ephraim and Flora (Thrasher) LaFountain, and grew up in South Woodstock, Vt., where he graduated from Woodstock High School. He served in World War II as part of the American Field Service, driving ambulances throughout Europe and India. After the war ended, he moved to Connecticut and, for nearly 25 years, worked with many dairy farmers throughout Middlesex and New Haven counties in his employment with the DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association). He was subsequently employed with Jet Lines prior to his retirement in 1987. For nearly 25 years, he enjoyed RVing around the country with his wife. A Mason, he was a member of the New Haven Masonic Lodge. He was an avid reader, enjoyed playing the guitar as well as checkers, was a fearless setback player, and was passionate about computers, technology, cows, and good food. He was a wonderful storyteller and enjoyed talking about his experiences growing up in Vermont, raising cane, and-when pushed-about his stories as a veteran of World War II. He always loved visiting his native Vermont and made frequent trips each year, telling stories as he traveled along old dirt roads-never forgetting a childhood adventure. Mant was predeceased by his devoted wife of 59 years, Jane Knox LaFountain, in 2009.

He is survived by two loving daughters and their families, Jan Melnik and her husband, Ron, with whom Mant lived, and their sons, Daniel (and Amanda,) of Durham, Weston (and Jenni,) of Durham, and Stephen (and Francesca,) of Monterey, Calif.; and Beth Winslow and her husband, Jim, of Durham, and their children, Jack Murray, of Durham, Jim (and Danielle,) Murray, of Torrington; and great-grandson, Jaxxson; Jean (and Casey) O'Donnell, of Vancouver, Wash.; and great-granddaughter, Kara; and Jennifer Murray, of Oxford; he is also survived by his brother, Richard, of Bristol, Vt., and his brother, Wallace, of Winslow, Maine; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Maurice; and his sister, Sylvia.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St., in Wallingford. There will be a brief service and musical interlude to which everyone is invited at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be private. Donations may be sent to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, 33 N. Plains Industrial Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. www.BCBailey.com.