1932 – 2014

FARMINGTON — Donald W. McAninch, 81, of Jay, died unexpectedly on Friday, Feb. 14, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

He was born on July 31, 1932, in Clarion, Pa., a son of, Herbert Ross McAninch and Mary Ellen (Gruber) Doll. He graduated from Hawthorn, Pa., schools.

Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army and was an active reservist from 1953-1960.

On June 23, 1956, he married June Lett in North Tonawanda, N.Y., where they made their home.

Donald worked for International Paper’s Tonawanda mill until its closing in 1976, when he relocated to Jay and went to work at the Androscoggin mill. He retired in 1987 from a supervisory position of the No. 4 and No. 5 paper machines.

He was a member of the mill’s Quarter Century Club and the AMVETS.

Donald took great pleasure in the care of his home and the grounds that surrounded it. He loved vegetable and flower gardening and sharing the “fruits” of his labor with all of his neighbors and friends. He also enjoyed fishing and camping, especially at the Lake Dore Tent & Trailer Park in Ontario, Canada, which he did for more than 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, June McAninch of Jay; children, David McAninch and his wife, Kathryn, of Jay, Nancy Bryant and her husband, Lee, of Pittsfield, and Mary Jo McAninch of Jay; grandchildren, Jeff McAninch and his wife, Norma, of Windham, Patricia Dunning and her husband, David, of Chesterville, and June Libby and her companion, Brandon Ryder, of Vienna; great-grandchildren, Aidan and Kellan McAninch, Lyza and Klay Dunning, and Kiana and Camren Ryder; sisters, Phyllis Painter and her husband, Shelby, of Tennessee, and Shirley Evans and her husband, Clarence, of Pennsylvania.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother, Herbert McAninch.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with his family and friends on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.

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