LAKEPORT, N.H. – Donald Darrell Brewer, 84, of Franklin St., passed away at home with his loving family by his side on Monday, August 28, 2017. Donald was born on August 19, 1933, in Bridgewater, ME, the son of Darrell Brewer and Gladys (Bradstreet) Brewer. He had been a resident of Laconia, NH, for the past 51 years.
As a child growing up in northern Maine, Don worked in the potato fields and his hard work and determination set the tone for his life. After graduating from Bridgewater Classical Academy he moved to CT to start his family while working at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and then began a life in sales working for the Peter Gray Co. in MA. His work brought him to land a job in sales working for Lewis & Saunders where he eventually went independent and began selling for many aerospace component manufacturers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Don always yearned for, but soon found the need, to learn how to fly. He purchased his own aircraft to minimize his “road trips”. Don also co-founded Scotia Technology of Laconia, an Aerospace Tube Assembly manufacturer and a friendly competitor to Lewis & Saunders. With his wife, Gail, at the helm, as President, Scotia Technology won many awards as Outstanding Supplier of the Year from many major aviation industry companies including two consecutive year awards from Boeing. The business thrived and was eventually sold in 2007.
His retirement years were enjoyed with summers in Laconia and winters in Fort Myers. He loved to “play” the stock market and could always bend some ears in talking finance. He was a generous man to those he believed had the same determination and fortitude that he did. He gave many individuals the gift of educational tuition who would otherwise not be able to attend.
Don loved flying his Twin Comanche, fishing in Alaska, hunting in New Brunswick, boating and being the “first” on Opechee to fly a kit aircraft while being towed behind a boat! His life was a Big Adventure and he will always be remembered fondly, by all who knew him.
Donald is survived by his wife, Gail (Risley) Brewer of Laconia, NH; three sons, Jerome of Laconia, Eugene and wife, Debra, of Wolfeboro, NH, and Steven and wife, Tammy, of Alaska; a daughter, Diane (Brewer) Lyman and husband, Jim, of Gilford, NH; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sandy Klemyk and husband, Joe, and Susan Merblum and husband, Frank; five nephews and four nieces. In addition to his parents; and his stepfather, Samuel Stitham, he was predeceased by his son, Scott Brewer; his brother, Bert “Bub” Brewer; and his first wife, Yvonne Hall Brewer.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance. Internment will be held on September 7, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery, Meredith Center Road, Meredith, NH. For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish NH, 814 Elm Street, Suite 300, Manchester, NH 03101, in lieu of flowers; in remembrance of the generosity Donald showed to others. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
