Donald D. Padgett

Donald D. "Don" Padgett, 85, passed away March 9, 2026.

Donald was born in Blawenburg and resided formerly in Rocktown, Hillsborough, Manville, and Raritan. He graduated from Middlesex County Vo-Tech. Donald was a handy man for Doris Duke at her estate in Hillsborough Township (now known as Duke Farms) as well as other Doris Duke's Real Estate holdings including her residence in Newport, Rhode Island for over 20 years. He then worked at Foothill Acres Nursing Home, retiring in 1996.

Donald loved his dog Kenny III and had everyone convinced that Kenny III understood commands in German. Donald enjoyed walking from Raritan to Somerville, which he would do almost daily when he was able to make the three-mile round trip. Donald was a collector of cookbooks which filled every nook and cranny of his apartment. He loved to look for new recipes and make them. Donald and his sister Rilla would spend hours on the phone as he was a great listener. He enjoyed playing Chinese Checkers into the wee hours of the night.

Donald loved going to Alfonsos in Somerville and the Farmers Markets including the "Packards Market" and "The Amish Market." In his spare time, Donald dabbled in Egg Art and enjoyed gardening, cooking, watching the NY Mets, and going to yard sales. Donald had a very big heart. If you needed his help, he would always be available to help others. Donald will be sadly missed by all.

He is predeceased by his four brothers and former spouse Alice "Linda".

Surviving are his sister Rilla Mae Chipps, sister-in-law Gloria Padgett, nephew Bill Chipps and his wife Susan, and a number of other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 4-6pm with a service at 6pm March 25, 2026 at Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, 111 N. Gaston Ave, Somerville. Interment will be held at Highland Cemetery in Hopewell at a future date.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff on the ICU unit at Robert Wood Johnson - Somerset, for their excellent and compassionate care of Donald during his time there.

Because of their excellent care of Donald's dog Kenny III when he was unable to care for him, donations can be made to the St. Francis Wildlife Sanctuary Inc., 331 N. Post Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.brucecvanarsdalefuneralhome.com.