Donald Vincent LaFave

Donald Vincent LaFave, 89 years old, of Stratham, NH died peacefully with family members by his side on September 10, 2023. The son of Francis and Lea (Albanese) LaFave, he was born on December 30, 1933 in Springfield, MA. Don grew up in Western Massachusetts and Winchester, NH. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Nancy (Chute) LaFave, sisters Virginia Cudgma (Daniel), of Connecticut and Elaine Moore (George) of Georgia, brothers Ernest LaFave of Maryland and Robert LaFave of Massachusetts, and brother-in-law Thomas Costello of Longmeadow, MA.

Don served for 26 years in the military, during the Korean, Viet Nam and Cold Wars. After graduating from Thayer High School in Winchester in 1952, he followed his brother Ernie into the US Navy. He was stationed at Barin Field in Foley, Alabama when he met his wife Nancy in 1954. They were married for 62 years - until her death in 2016. In 1956 he joined the US Air Force and retired as a Chief Master Sargent in 1978. He travelled throughout the world during his Air Force career, to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, including Viet Nam and Thailand. Throughout his military career he also completed college courses, graduating from UNH in 1980 with a degree in Business Administration.

After his Air Force retirement, he worked for McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft in Saudi Arabia where he and Nancy lived for several years. Later, he attended the Thompson School at UNH where he was the recipient of the Golden Trowel Award, graduating with a degree in horticulture in 1987. His formal education and Certification as a Landscape Professional laid the ground for LaFave’s Landscape Service, which he operated for many years. He will be remembered fondly by his customers in the NH Seacoast area.

Don was a dedicated husband and partner to Nancy, and the two enjoyed worldwide travel after his retirement, visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama each winter, and meeting friends from their travels overseas in different parts of the country.

He is survived by his children Lea Ayers LaFave (Mark Cowdrey) of Andover, NH, Kathleen LaFave (Robert Cashman) of Hampstead, NH, Glenn LaFave of Lombard, Illinois, Donald LaFave (Lucy Mason) of Warner, NH, and Helen LaFave of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she serves in the US Department of State. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Caroline Boucher of Andover, NH, William H. Harrington of Amesbury, MA, and Glenn Harrington of Los Angeles, CA, and three great-grandchildren: Adalyn, Cameron and Wesley Boucher of Andover, NH. He also leaves behind his sisters Dorothy Belmer (Wayne) of West Springfield, MA and Joanne Costello of Longmeadow, MA, his sister-in-law Janet LaFave of The Villages, FL and York, ME, many nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

Don was known for his love of his family, his strong work ethic, his perseverance, his knowledge of US history, and his sense of humor. He was an avid fly fisherman, talented artist, masterful gardener, and a lifelong Democrat. Don loved recalling adventures of his youth, travels, and time in the service, and sharing those stories with family and friends. Don will be especially remembered for his unwavering support of his family.

SERVICES: Don will be buried with Military Honors at the NH Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen. Services will be held privately. Donations in Don’s memory may be made to Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice in New London, NH, or Havenwood Heritage Heights in Concord, NH.