
Douglas Wayne Personette
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Douglas Wayne Personette (69) passed away peacefully on October 28th due to pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. His greatest loves were his family, music, and the outdoors. Doug was born March 1st, 1955, in Morristown, NJ, to Stanley and Mildred (Bomberger) Personette, the youngest of four children. Raised in Basking Ridge, NJ, he met his high school sweetheart Kathleen (Crane) in the Ridge High school band. After marrying in 1979, they moved to Arlington, VT where Doug started Personette Tree Service, a business that he continued to operate into the final year of his life. He had a gift for all things mechanical and it seemed he could fix almost anything. During the winter months he worked in snowmaking at Bromley Mountain for 15 years and Stratton Mountain for over 25, retiring as Snowmaking Plant Maintenance Supervisor. Doug played the trombone in the Rutgers University marching band, was a member of the music fraternity Mu Upsilon Alpha, studied the trombone under Ed Erwin of the New York Philharmonic and played in the Plainfield Symphony. Doug and Kathy continued playing music together with many groups including Cambridge Marching Band, Washington County Concert Band, MCLA Community Band, and SUNY Adirondack Wind Ensemble. Doug also accompanied the Bennington County Choral Society and was the principal trombonist for the Sage City Symphony for 40 years. Doug shared his love of music with his beloved daughters, who grew up dancing to music their parents played in venues and parks all around Vermont and New York and carried the banner for Cambridge Marching Band for several years. His daughter Kira joined her parents in WCCB, playing flute while in high school. This past summer, Doug and Kathy proudly played a concert that both of their granddaughters enjoyed. Doug loved being outdoors with his family. He was always ready to hop in the truck to visit waterfalls across Vermont and loved camping in Vermont State Parks. He always prepared 'the big breakfast' in his Big Daddy skillet, loved to be on the water in a canoe or kayak, and his extensive tarp collection made sure camp stayed dry. He greatly enjoyed sharing amusing stories with his friends and family. His sense of humor, warm mischievous smile and the twinkle in his eyes will surely be missed. He is survived by many loving family members including Kathy, his wife of 45 years; daughter Laura (Tim Coste) of Gray, ME; daughter Kira (Adam Deveau) and adored granddaughters Ayla and Avalyn of Raymond, ME, and brothers John and Mark. He was predeceased by his father Stanley, mother Mildred, and sister Carol. As he wished, a memorial gathering will be held in the spring. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Arlington Rescue Squad, Second Chance Animal Center, or the Martha Canfield Library.

