Donald E. Cantlin, Jr.

Enfield, NH – Donald E. Cantlin, Jr., 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, on Friday, August 2, 2013.

Don was born in Lebanon, NH to Donald E. Sr. and Gladys V. (Duplessis) Cantlin on January 21, 1925. He attended Lebanon Schools where he excelled in Nordic and Alpine Combined Skiing Competition. Needing the Approval of his parents (due to his age) Don entered World War II at the age of 17. He served aboard a Navy Destroyer for 4 years in the South Pacific. Once home he married the love of his life Leafie I. Murphy on June 26, 1948. When called back for the Korean Conflict Leafie traveled with Don to Naval Bases in California and Florida while Don again served aboard a Navy Destroyer for 2 years, once discharged he returned to the home he & Leafie had purchased in Enfield shortly after marrying.


Don owned and operated Don's Radio & TV Sales & Service on Main Street in Enfield for several years, worked for the U.S. Post Office as a Rural Carrier and then as owner/operator of Cantlin's Snack & Store on Rte. 4 in Enfield with Leafie and their son Donald.


Don devoted countless hours to Volunteer Services including: Boy & Eagle Scouts; licensed instructor for the Hunter Safety programs; Budget Committee; Building Committee for the new High School, MVRHS; member of the Veterans of Foreign War; the Disabled American Veteran's – Don Yearly Raised Money & participated in the New England Disabled Sports Clinic held at Mt. Sunapee Ski Resort (normally he raised the most donation dollars & skied the fastest in competition).

He was a 68 year member of the American Legion Guyer-Carignan Post 22 in Lebanon where he served as part of the Military Honor Guard Team; he also volunteerd over 9,000 Hours at the VA Hospital in W.R. Jct., VT; was Fireworks Chairman of the Enfield Bicentennial Committee – where raised money was used to buy the fireworks; a lifetime member of the Enfield and Lebanon Outing Club's; a volunteer ski coach (Alpine & Nordic) at Storrs Hill & Snowcrest; Don was a 30 year member of the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department; a Fire Arms Instructor for the Enfield Police Department; Nordic Combined Coach (ski jumping & cross country) at Lebanon High School and Cardigan Mtn. School; member of the Enfield Rangers and volunteer at Enfield Senior Dinners

Don enjoyed life, family, friends, hunting, fishing and skiing (on both snow & water). If he heard a child wanted to learn to ski he'd locate a full set of equipment for them and teach them to ski. Don was a Good Man and a True Patriot with a Tremendous Love for this Country.

Family, including foster sons & daughters, came first to Don and life was enjoyed at the farm with countless animals including horses to ride on weekend outings, hay to process, firewood to cut, Spectacle Pond and Crystal Lake cottages where all water sports were participated in, Snow skiing leisurely with family or competitively. Retirement years were enjoyed camping with Leafie, family and friends at the Mascoma Lake Campground & the Canaan Street Lake Camp Ground.

Don and Leafie received a Mascoma Savings Bank Community Volunteer Award; the Town of Enfield Citizens of the Year Award in 2004 & the Enfield - Mascoma Lions Citizens of the Year Award in 2006. In 2011 Don received the American Flag which flew over the Enfield Veteran's Memorial Park at a ceremony on Memorial Day.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 65 years; son - Donald E. Cantlin III and his daughters Nicole Cantlin and Morgan Cantlin - daughter - Leafie "Casey" Cantlin, partner Todd Hersey and their sons Thomas Hersey (partner Katie Robbins) & Luke Hersey; sister Nancy Blair of Seward, Alaska, brothers Jimmy Cantlin of Enfield and Roger Cantlin of Canaan; cousins, nieces & nephews to include Russell "Rusty" Cantlin who visited often and took Don on many an outing to include rooming with the last two Disabled American Veteran Ski Clinics Don attended.

Don was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother John Cantlin and foster son Mark E. Parker who was killed in Vietnam.

At. Don's request there will be no calling hours. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 11 AM at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lebanon, NH where Don will be laid to rest, with the Lebanon American Legion Military Honor Guard taking part in the service. Casual attire for those attending has been requested by the family please. The Celebration of Don's Life will continue immediately following at the Enfield Community Building, IF you're unable to join us at the cemetery please join us at the Celebration of Don's Life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made out to the Enfield Veteran's Memorial Park c/o the Town of Enfield, PO Box 373, Enfield, NH 03741 or the Charity of one's choice.

The Cantlin Family would like to offer special thanks to Don's doctor Dr. Lynn Webster & the Staff of the VA Hospital as well as the Staff of the Lake Sunapee Visiting Nurse – Hospice Care.