Donald Gabrenas

Donald Gabrenas, 78 of Terryville, husband of Ann Marie (Kaniewski) Gabrenas, passed away Friday, January 21, 2022, at home, holding the hands of his beloved wife and “favorite” sister-in-law Jeanie. Don was born September 19, 1943 in Athol, MA, son of the late Frank and Edith (Ducatte) Gabrenas. He attended Athol High School.  Don served in the Army National Guard from 1961-1964. He served as a patrol officer in Athol, MA and reached the rank of Sergeant as Special State Police at Assumption College, now University. He also served in Bellows Falls, VT and Paxton, MA.  As a hard worker, driving enthusiast, and always open to meeting new people and experiences, he drove school buses, charter and shuttle buses, and semi-tractor trailers all along the East Coast. He loved to fly remote control airplanes, helicopters, and drones. He also loved fireworks, long drives in the country and watching movies at home by the fireside. Don and Ann Marie celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on August 3, 2021.

Besides his wife, Don is survived by his sons, Mark Gabrenas and his wife Jenny of Athol, MA, and Kevin Gabrenas and his wife Deb of Athol, MA; his daughters Shelly Labrie and her husband Paul of Athol, MA, and Meredith Burt and her husband Benjamin of Athol, MA; his brothers, Robert Gabrenas and his dear friend Grace Cantino of Orange, MA, Bruce Gabrenas and his wife Lisa of Orange, MA, and Peter Gabrenas and his wife Regina of Orange, MA; his sisters, Judy Dodge of Athol, MA, Carol Griffith and her husband David of Athol, MA; his brothers-in-law, John Kaniewski and his wife Laurie of Wolcott, CT, and Paul Kaniewski and his wife Maritza of Miami, FL; his sister-in-law Jean Beck of Thomaston, CT; his cherished mother-in-law, Genevieve Kaniewski of Thomaston, CT; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, his treasured dogs Taffy and Tonka, and several nieces and nephews. Don is predeceased by his grandson, Winter Clark.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Don’s nurse, Elizabeth Pang, for her exceptional care and compassion.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 27th 9:30 am from the Scott Funeral Home, 169 Main St, Terryville, to St. Gregory Church, 235 Maltby St, Bristol, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.  Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm. www.scottfuneralhomeinc.com

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital, 20 York St. New Haven, CT 06511 Support Yale New Haven Hospital today! We appreciate your help! (givetoynhh.org)

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