Donald E. Pastula

West Danville, VT: Donald Edward Pastula, 90 died on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.

Donald was born in Hartford, CT on January 6, 1935, son to John and Florence (Kriss) Pastula. He was raised in Bloomfield, CT and graduated from Bloomfield High School, Class of 1953. He went to Hillyer College and spent 2 years in the Army National Guard. On November 3, 1956, Don married Barbara Lee Decker. They shared 65 years together before Barbara’s death in 2021. In 1960, Don started and owned Depco Tool, a machine tool engineering company. Don and Barbara bought a farm in 1973 started coming to Vermont spending weekends, holidays and kids summer vacation before moving to West Danville permanently in 1992.

Don had many interests. While in Connecticut, he loved spending time on Long Island Sound enjoying time on their boat named “Solitude”. During this time he developed a lifelong love for lobster. Don enjoyed farming, riding on his tractors, tending his garden, going to auctions with Bobbi bringing home boxes of “stuff” and snowmobiling with the family. A sports enthusiast, he rooted for the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, and UConn Huskies. Above all, Don enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of Corpus Christi Parish devoted to the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Danville.

He is survived by his two sons: David Pastula and wife, Karen, of W. Danville and Douglas Pastula and wife, Dawn, of Danville; two daughters: Susan Pastula D’Anna of Woodstock, VT and Carole Pastula Kasper of Lincoln, MA; a brother: Peter Havriluk and wife Ann of Granby, CT; 10 grandchildren: Meghan Pastula Elliott, Katharine Pastula Bishop, Sarah Pastula, James Pastula, Melanie Pastula Abare, Erika Pastula Bludau, Cassandra Pastula, Lily D’Anna, Jonathan Kasper, and Nicholas Kasper; 5 great-grandchildren: Juniper Bishop, Johnny Bishop, Isaac Elliot, Rylie Gilbert and Lincoln Gilbert.

Don was predeceased by his wife: Barbara “Bobbi” Pastula; and siblings: Dorothy Sniffin and Richard Pastula.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 5, 2025, 5-7PM at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Lance Harlow, will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025, 10AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Route 2, Danville, VT with burial to follow at Danville Green Cemetery.

Memorial Donations can be made in Barbara’s name to The Open Door PO Box 377, Danville, VT 05828, or Good Shepherd Catholic School, 121 Maple Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Memories and condolences can be shared online at saylesfh.com.