DONALD SIDNEY GROLL

SHELBURNE — Donald Sidney Groll passed away on Thursday, March 9, at The Arbors in Shelburne, Vt.

He was born on Sept. 24, 1938, in Massachusetts, to Otto and Nellie (Haan) Groll. They had a very close-knit family. Donald and his whole family were longtime members of the United Methodist Church in South Walpole, Mass. David, Donald’s younger brother, always looked up to his older brother and both relied on each other through the years. Donald was affectionately called “Jake” by his family and very close friends.

He grew up in South Walpole, Mass., and graduated from Walpole High School and then went on to receive an undergraduate and graduate degree in engineering from MIT. He went on to work for many years at an engineering firm in Vermont that designed and produced precision fuel gauges for airplanes.

He was a very quiet and unassuming person. He loved living in Vermont, and he lived for many years in Middlebury. He was an avid hiker and walker in the mountains, and he just loved being outdoors. He also loved just getting on his bicycle and going into the countryside for a long ride.

One of his many volunteer activities was to assist people needing rides to and from trailheads on the Appalachian Trail. He met many interesting people doing this. He was a member for many years of the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society and volunteered in many capacities at the church.

Donald served very successfully as the president of the Homeowner’s Association of his condo for 17 years. He was liked by everyone because he was fair, responsive, and genuinely cared about the people living there.

Donald loved to read and so it was natural that he volunteered with the Friends of Ilsley Library, especially in their monthly book sales.

Survivors include his sister-in-law, Betty Crowder. It is with a sad heart that the two Groll brothers are now gone, but never forgotten.◊