Donald R. McCain III, 84, passed away in the comfort of his family on Thursday evening, January 16, 2020, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Born on December 27, 1935, he was the son of the late Donald R. McCain Jr. and Constance (Marinos) McCain. On October 28, 1955, Don married the former Gail McMullen in Allentown, PA.
Don attended Bucknell University and the University of Bridgeport. Don’s entrepreneurial spirit took over in the 1960s when he co-founded The Audio Den in New Haven, CT, which he operated for several years. Wanting to escape the city life, Don and Gail moved to Waterbury Center in 1970 where they purchased the old May Farm property on Route 100, renovated the barn and opened the 1836 Shop, an antique and gift store. They expanded in 1977, developing the 1836 Cabins business, which provided cozy guest cottages as an alternative to hotel rooms for tourists visiting the area. Don capped off his entrepreneurial vision by developing Gardenworld, a greenhouse and landscape nursery business. In 2007, Don and Gail sold the last of their businesses and retired. An avid woodworker, Don was in perpetual motion, constantly busy and working. When forced to take a break or a vacation he enjoyed a good sci-fi book and time on the Jersey shore with his sister Sharon. Don was a member of Winooski Lodge 49 F&AM and was a founding member of the former Waterbury Tourism Council.
Don is loved and mourned by his wife of 64 years, Gail McCain of Stowe; their children, Brig McCain of Waterbury Center and Gunner McCain and his wife Mona of Waterbury Center; his grandchildren, George Jr. and his wife Caitlin, Lucas, Ryan, Adam, Kenzie and her husband David Rhoden, and Caitlyn; his great-grandchildren, Adeline, Gunner, Finley and Harper; his brother, Preston McCain and his wife Kathy of Lewes, DE; his sister, Sharon Cascio of Stratford, CT; as well as extended family. Don was predeceased by a son, Donald R. McCain IV, on November 8, 2002.
A service celebrating the life of Donald McCain will be held from Waterbury Congregational Church on February 15, 2020, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church dining room. Don enjoyed vibrant colors, his favorite of which was red, and the family invites colorful attire at the service. For those who wish, memorial gifts to the Waterbury Area Food Shelf, 57 South Main Street, Suite 3, Waterbury, VT 05676, would be appreciated. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
