Douglas A. Lawson

ESSEX JUNCTION - Douglas Alan Lawson, 75, died on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at The McClure Miller VNA Respite House in Colchester, embraced by the warmth of his loving family, after a lengthy battle with cardiac amyloidosis.
Doug was born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Barre, the son of Kendall Eugene and Eleanor Stott Lawson. His earliest years were spent in East Barre where he attended the East Barre Elementary School and Spaulding High School, class of 1959.
After graduating from the University of Vermont in 1964, he moved with his former wife, Janet Hill Lawson, to Rochester, New York, where he was a supervisor at the Rochester Products Division of General Motors carburetor assembly plant. Upon his return to Vermont, Doug and his family resided for many years in Williston. During those years, he was employed at the Essex Junction IBM plant; operated Ray's Mobile Homes on the Williston Road, South Burlington; and, developed a senior housing community known as Williston Woods, his proudest achievement. Following the sale of Williston Woods and his subsequent marriage to Gail (Centerbar) Desorda on Nov. 6, 1993, he relocated to Northfield. At that time, he joined his lifelong friend, Ted Rossi, in the operation and management of the Theodore Rossi Trucking Co. in Barre until his retirement in 2005.
Doug was an avid sports enthusiast. He loved to run, bicycle, hike, ski, snowshoe, kayak and play soccer with the kids. Upon retirement, one of his greatest pleasures was traveling and exploring with Gail, by car or bike, the length and breadth of the continental U.S. and Canada. His love of, and sincere interest in, people, places and the natural beauty surrounding him gave him great joy and many happy memories. Throughout the 19 years Doug resided in Northfield, he immersed himself in the rhythm and warmth of this college community. As an avid supporter of Norwich University's mens' ice hockey program, Doug cherished the many friendships developed with students, their families and the numerous other fans who enriched his life.
As a devoted civil servant, Doug will long be remembered for his immeasurable commitment, sound judgement and thoughtful leadership as a selectman in Williston and member of the Northfield Board of Trustees.
In 2014, seeking a warmer, dryer climate due to the sudden onset of a chronic, rare heart disease, Doug and Gail moved to The Villages, Florida. As his health declined, they returned to Essex in June 2016 to obtain the skilled care of his trusted Vermont physicians and to be near his family and home. Doug was immensely proud of his children's accomplishments and, nurtured by the joy his children and grandchildren brought into his life, he wanted to be nearer to them.
Doug is survived by his wife, Gail, of Essex Junction; his sister, Marcia Papianou and her husband, Alex, of Foxborough, Massachusetts; his sons, Paul Lawson and his wife, Janet Mara, of Waterbury, Vermont, Jack Stott Lawson and his wife, Sasha Bell, of Missoula, Montana, Thomas Lawson, of Brooklyn, New York, Jeffrey Lawson and his wife, Marie-Josee Legault, of Shelburne, Vermont, and Montreal, Quebec, Canada; stepdaughter Jennifer (Desorda) Young and her husband, Gary Young, of Liberty, South Carolina; grandchildren Asa, Lily and Bebban Lawson and Chanelle Giardino. He was predeceased by both parents and his brother, Reid Lawson.
A service of remembrance and celebration of Doug's life will be delayed until Saturday, June 10, 2017, and will be held at the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, Vermont, at 1 p.m. As well, family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home between 5 and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Burial will be in the Wilson Cemetery, Barre Town.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Heart Association, 110 Main St. #203, Burlington, VT 05401; and/or to The McClure Miller VNA Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446.
For a memorial guestbook, visit www.HookerWhitcomb.com.