Donald Joseph Jasud

MEXICO – Donald Joseph Jasud, 95, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024, at home with his family, who loved him, by his side.

He was born April 1, 1929, in Peru, the son of Walter and Helen (Waishwill) Jasud. He grew up on the Peru family farm and went on to graduate from Stephens High School in Rumford. He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Mahoney on Nov. 26, 1949, almost celebrating 75 years of marriage. He worked 44 years in the paper industry as a Millwright in the Hydraulic department, beginning his dedicated working career with Oxford Paper Co and retiring from Boise Cascade.

First and foremost, Donald was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Family was his priority, his work ethic was exemplary, almost to a fault. There was only one way to do a job and that was the “right way.” Shortcuts were never acceptable; no job was too big or too small. He would, and did, tackle just about anything and wouldn’t quit until he was satisfied. He was a perfectionist.

Donald was very proud of his 100% Lithuanian Heritage. He was fluent in speaking and reading the Lithuanian language and thoroughly enjoyed his Lithuanian music, magazines, cooking Lithuanian foods and talking about family history. He and Beverly loved to dance the polka. In their younger years everyone liked watching them dance together.

There was no denying he was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening and boating. He loved all aspects of nature, the land, farming, beekeeping, raising chinchillas in his basement, tending animals, and plowing the fields. He was a self-taught basket weaver having made several beautiful baskets he used for picking apples, mushrooms, and various plants he sought in the woods. He was an avid reader, always interested in learning something new. In his younger days he took pride managing his wood lots in Peru, first with a team of horses then following retirement he purchased a skidder. He built his own wood splitter.

He was a skilled woodworker and cabinetmaker, having made several pieces of furniture for the family. Items that come to mind are small benches for the grandchildren when ready to stand at the sink, cabinets for his good friend’s camp up north and large tool chests, and many items throughout the years. Whenever you wanted to find him, most likely he was in the garage building, creating, or fixing something. He could do almost anything with his hands, he loved every minute of it.

Personal hobbies were not his only enjoyment, he and Beverly loved going to the coast. First taking their young children to Small Point Beach for weekly tenting vacations and as the years past, they rented camps at the coast along with Bev’s sisters and husbands having great times together. They traveled to such places as Florida, Las Vegas, Alaska, Tennessee, Virginia, Niagara Falls, all the New England States, Prince Edward Island and other parts of Canada. Having lived at his home for almost 75 years, he was a respectful and friendly neighbor who took pride in his property. Of all the things he has done in his life, he was a farmer at heart. He loved the farm. This was a man who after retirement never sat still, never stopped learning. He lived life to the fullest, he made every day count.

Donald was a member of the Rumford Lithuanian Club, Webb River Sportsman Club, Rumford Eagles, Mexico Trailblazer Snowmobile Club, Maine Trapper’s Association, Sportsman Alliance of Maine and Communicant of the Parish of The Holy Savior.

He was predeceased by his loving parents, Walter and Helen Jasud, his brothers, Walter and Theodore Jasud, son-in-law John F. Richardson, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Beverly Jasud, his children, Rebecca Collins and husband Daniel, Michael Jasud and wife Kathleen, and Nancy Mercier and husband Wayne, his grandchildren, Dan Collins, Jr., and wife Stacey, Sara Brennick and husband Mark, Tyson Jasud and companion Nikki Cameron, Tyler Jasud and partner Jessica Demott, Cerese Richardson and fiancé Joseph Patenaude, Sandra Scesny and husband Jared, Myles Mercier and wife Elise, his great-grandchildren, Isaac and Ian Brennick, Drew and Deryk Collins, Gage and Bella Jasud, Vivian and Jonny Scesny, Rory, Harrison and Silas Mercier.

The family of Donald Jasud wishes to thank MedCare of Mexico, Dr. King, Chelsea Ouellette, NP, Rumford Hospital, Andwell Health and Hospice. The family is deeply grateful to his most loyal, loving, dedicated, caring, supportive and generous Home Care Team for the past six months. He had the best care anyone could ask for. Thank You.

Friends and family are invited to share memories with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m., Thursday July 25, 2024, at the Parish of The Holy Savior St Athanasius St John Church 126 Maine Ave, Rumford. Reception immediately following in the Church Hall. Burial will be private at the Demeritt Cemetery in Peru. Arrangements are under the care of Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford.