NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Donald Raymond Lescarbeau, 78, of North Adams passed away on January 8, 2017, at The Stratton V.A. Medical Center in Albany, N.Y.

He was born in North Adams on August 31, 1938, the son of Edward Joseph and Emaline Delia (Lord) Lescarbeau. He attended local schools and served in the United States Army as a peace time soldier in Germany between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Upon discharge he served as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard.

A carpenter by trade, Don worked for several area contractors before choosing to work independently. In the early 1970s he partnered with his brother Leon and together they butchered and process meat for local farmers and hunters for over 30 years. As an extension of that and with the generous donations of local sportsmen he and his brother Louie held annual Game Dinners for family, friends and others fortunate enough to get what had become a tough ticket to obtain. The proceeds from these dinners were donated to a variety of local causes benefitting school groups, establishing scholarship funds and aiding a variety of folks in need of a little help.

A man of simple means, "Donnie," as he was known to his friends, was a hard worker, a wonderful provider, someone who enjoyed the company of others and always willing to lend a hand. His greatest joys were his family, cooking and sharing a good meal as well as a good laugh.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary (Ostrander); son Alan and his wife Patricia (Phelps); daughter Kim DiLego and husband Paul, all from North Adams; three granddaughters, Katie Bailey and husband Scott from Westfield, Mass., Andrea Fletcher and husband Jeffery from Ellettsville, Ind., and Maia DiLego from North Adams; as well as three great-grandsons, Ethan Fletcher, Benjamin Bailey and Adam Bailey; his brothers Henry Lescarbeau and wife Virginia, Leon Lescarbeau and wife Patricia, Norman Lescarbeau and wife Helena, Harold Lescarbeau and wife Marcia and Howard Lescarbeau, all from North Adams; his sisters Erma Foster, Theresa Grieger and Emaline Goddard of North Adams, as well as Bernadette Aubin and husband Alexander from Stamford Vt.; his sister-in-law Shirley Lescarbeau from North Adams, brother-in-law Joseph Ostrander and wife Lois from Lebanon, Penn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Lescarbeau was predeceased by his parents; his brothers David, Edward, Lawrence, Felix, Richard and Louis Lescarbeau; and brothers-in-law Nelson Foster, Bill Lauth, Paul Grieger and Ralph Goddard.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Donald Lescarbeau will be celebrated Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.

Calling hours are Friday, January 13, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. The family has requested the omission of flowers. As a way to honor the care that he received at the Stratton V.A as well as Don and Louie’s love for providing meals for large groups of people, the family has decided that it would be fitting for any donations in Don’s memory be made to The North Adams American Legion to be used for their annual "Be Our Guest Christmas Dinner."

The Lescarbeau family also wishes to thank the many doctors and staff from the Stratton V.A. Medical center for their diligent work and care over the many years that Don has been traveling to Albany.