Obituary published on Legacy.com by Heald Funeral Home - Saint Albans on Aug. 25, 2026.
Donald Edward Tessier Jr., a longtime resident of St. Albans, Vermont, and more recently of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026, with his son Ed and daughter-in-law Carrie at his side.
Born in Northampton, Massachusetts, on May 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Donald E. Tessier Sr. and Irma (Parrow) Sandifer. Don was 85 years old.
Don retired fully in 2017 after a long career as a licensed U.S. Customs Broker with A.N. Deringer, Inc.
Don's early years were marked by travel, including train rides from Northampton, Massachusetts, to St. Albans, Vermont, and time spent living on various naval bases in Texas, Green Cove Springs, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia. He often recalled his days in Norfolk delivering newspapers and riding throughout the base. In 1958, he moved to St. Albans, where he began building the life and community connections that would define him for decades.
He first worked the third shift at Fonda Container before returning to high school to earn his diploma. After graduation, he married Sue (Hersey) Tessier and began raising a family. His early career included selling shoes and later advertising for WWSR/WFLE. While working and supporting his family, he continued his education through night classes at Champlain College in Burlington, earning an Associate's Degree in Business.
In 1978, Don began his career with A.N. Deringer in the insurance division, where he built lasting personal and professional relationships. Never one to remain idle, he later transitioned to the customs brokerage side of the company, studied for and earned his license as a U.S. Customs Broker, and continued in that profession until his retirement.
Don was deeply involved in the St. Albans community. He was active with the St. Albans Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award and was a familiar presence each Saturday on the Rotary Ski Bus. He was also a member and Past Worshipful Master of Franklin Lodge #4, F& Past Potentate of Mt. Sinai Shrine Club; a member of the Mt. Sinai Motor Corps; a board member for Shriners Hospitals for Children in Montreal; and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court #151, St. Albans Lodge #1566 B.P.O.E., Green Mountain Post #1 American Legion, and St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He also served in the Vermont Air National Guard.
Don found great joy in the outdoors and in the company of friends. Depending on the season, he could be found skiing, sailing the "Hotdog" on northern Lake Champlain, or playing golf at Champlain Country Club with his regular foursome.
Don is survived by his son, Donald E. Tessier III, and his wife, Carrie, of Nashville, Tennessee; his daughter, Kathleen M. Collin, and her husband, Jonathon, of St. Albans, Vermont; and three grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Wayne Sandifer, and his wife, Ruth; his sisters, Jean Patenaude and her husband, Roger, Lee Frazier and her partner, Jeff, and Donna Sandifer; as well as several nieces and nephews.
At this time, the family would like to thank the staff at both Brookdale Belle Meade and Adoration Hospice for the wonderful care they provided their father.
Don's family will receive family and friends on Thursday, October 15, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 11 Church Street, St. Albans.
A Masonic ritualistic service will be held at the church at 1:00 PM by Franklin Lodge #4, followed by a funeral service with Pastor Preston Fuller officiating. Private interment with military honors will take place at a later date in Hyde Cemetery in North Hero.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada, Office of Philanthropy, 1003 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada.
Honored to be serving Don's family is Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
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Arbre généalogique
Donald Edward Tessier
9. Donald Edward Tessier et Irma Parrow
8. Israël Tessier et Bernadette Godin
7. Israël Tessier et Alma Bishop
6. André Tessier et Angélique Trottier
5. Louis Tessier et Françoise Viau
4. Jacques Tessier et Marguerite Surette
3. Jacques Tessier et Marie-Louise Monet
2. Jean-Baptiste Tessier et Élisabeth Renaud
1. Urbain Tessier et Marie Archambault
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