Ronald H. I. Follensbee

1933 - 2025

Ronald H. I. Follensbee

White River Jct., VT - Ronald H. I. Follensbee, 91, died Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

Ron was born November 10, 1933, in Sanbornton, NH, a son of Leonard and Alberta (Reney) Follensbee. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1951. That fall, he met Lucille Vincent on a Grange hayride, and they were married on February 4, 1952, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. The couple made their home in White River Junction, where they raised seven children. Family was always the center of Ron's life, filled with fun and learning experiences.

Ron began his career as a machinist with Noble Belisle Machine Shop before joining Fellows Gear Shaper and later Needham Tool. He went on to work as a diesel mechanic for Kelton's Heavy Truck Dealership, Daniels Transportation, and L.F. Trottier's. An entrepreneur at heart, Ron owned and operated a Texaco gas station and garage, and later founded Ron's Garage. He also worked as a mechanic at Miller Auto before semi-retiring in 1986.

After retirement, Ron and Lucille spent winters in Florida and summers in Vermont. Even during this time, Ron kept busy working as a mechanic with Miller Auto, Sabil & Sons, and Trottier's until fully retiring in 1998. He especially loved spending summers camping with his grandchildren.

A dedicated beekeeper, Ron maintained up to thirty hives at a time. He was also an avid carpenter, building three homes for his family over the years and perfecting the art of finish work. A talented musician, Ron had an ear for music and could play many instruments including the piano, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, accordion, fiddle, and banjo. He and his children often played together as a family band at weddings and other gatherings.

Ron was predeceased by five sisters: Rowena "Rosie" Tucker, Lenora "DeDe" Carey, Celina Crippens, Beverly "Betty" Elder, and Faye Batcher.

He is survived by five sons, David Follensbee and his wife Cathy of Hartland, VT; Darryl Follensbee and his wife Lorene of Bradford, VT; Dennis Follensbee and his wife Maria of Claremont, NH; Duane Follensbee and his wife Terry of Lebanon, NH; and Dana Follensbee and his wife Joanne of Hartland, VT; two daughters, Rhonda McMahon and her husband Steve of Somersworth, NH, and Billie Follensbee and her husband Perry Elkins of Springfield, MO; fifteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond Follensbee of North Hartland, VT; and two sisters, Carol Bailey of Murphy, TX, and Shirley Haslam of Keystone Heights, FL.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 4–6 p.m. at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 19 at 10 a.m., followed by interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in White River Junction.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Margaret S. Pratt Community, Enhanced Living, Inc., 210 Plateau Acres, Bradford, VT 05033, or to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com