Richard Donald Biron

Durham, New Hampshire - R. Donald Biron (Don) passed away peacefully April 22, 2025.
Don grew up in Berlin, NH surrounded by a very large, extended French-Canadian family. His childhood experiences instilled a strong work ethic and sense of family, faith and community which provided a solid foundation upon which he lived his life.
Don had a unique upbringing. His parents were quite remarkable. They worked in the local paper mill and shoe factories, but also were extremely resourceful and utilized their diverse talents (building, gardening, fishing, raising poultry, cooking, sewing) to provide for their family. They encouraged and supported their two sons to pursue education, athletics, music, and outdoor activities.
Don was goalie for several hockey teams. His semi-pro team, the Berlin Maroons, played an exhibition game against the Montreal Canadians where Maurice "the Rocket" Richard (HHOF), the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a season, scored on him. In addition, he played the trombone in local orchestras, and hiked and camped extensively in the White Mountains. Don also loved to ski and even tried his hand at ski jumping.
Although French was the primary language spoken in the home, his parents had the foresight to place he and his older brother, Rene, in English immersion schools toward the end of their primary grades. This enabled them to become the first in their extended family to obtain university degrees.
After graduating from high school, Don initially attended the University of Maine. However, after meeting his wife to be, Phyllis Carbonneau of Exeter, NH, he transferred and graduated from UNH earning a degree in chemical engineering. Don met Phyllis at his brother's wedding.
Prior to settling in Acton, MA where they raised their family and lived for 28 years, Don and Phyllis lived in New York City as well as several other East Coast locations and even the Mojave Desert for 18 months. His career trajectory included positions at Harvard and MIT where he worked on a number of "top secret" projects including the nuclear accelerator. Although Don had a very accomplished career, he is best remembered by his family and friends for his integrity and wisdom, loving and generous spirit, and extensive community service.
Don was extremely creative and had a breadth of interests and talents. He loved to read and cook (Sunday night crepes were a family tradition). He was gifted with his hands (architect/builder, wood worker, basket-making, scrimshaw, hooking rugs, maintained a vegetable garden) and played multiple instruments.
Don had a reputation of being able to do anything. He was the first to be called by a neighbor in need no matter what time of day (i.e., to deal with frozen pipes). He assisted with his oldest son's Boy Scout Pine Wood Derby competition, got bicycle parts from the town dump to make his oldest daughter a prized bicycle, showed up at his youngest daughter's dorm room the night before her organic chemistry final to help with studying, and replaced glass garage windows with plexiglass so that his youngest son and friends could maintain street hockey practice in the driveway with minimal damage.
Don was also very committed to his faith and served in various capacities at St. Elizabeth's of Hungary Catholic Church in Acton. In the late 1980's, he was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church, initially serving at St. Elizabeth's. He then served in several parishes on Cape Cod where he and Phyllis retired and built a home. He was most proud of marrying all of his children and baptizing his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed providing community outreach to the sick and elderly.
Don adored his wife who pre-deceased him by a year and right until the end, referred to her as his "young bride." Likewise, he was beloved by his children and their spouses, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He cherished their frequent visits. When they would tell him how happy they were to see him, he would respond, "It's good to be seen." We will continue to be guided by his love, wisdom, and the profound ways that he influenced our lives.
Don leaves his children Scott Biron (wife Carol Biron), Michelle Horton (husband Tom Horton), Noreen Gallo (husband Chris Gallo) and Jonathan Biron (wife Janet Biron); 10 grandchildren; two great grandchildren who brought him great joy in his final years of life; his sister-in-law Sally Wilson, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass for Don and Phyllis will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 1st at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Church, 9 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Our Lady of the Cape, Box 1799, Brewster, MA 02631, Attn: memorial donations.
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