Obituary of Donald A. D' Auteuil

Donald Alan D'Auteuil died of cancer at the age of 76 on the 24th of March, 2017 with his wife of 52 wonderful years, Drusilla Nelson D'Auteuil, by his side in their Florida home. Don was born March 22, 1941, in Willimantic, Connecticut. He was a member of the last class to attend the one room schoolhouse that became The Eliza Wheelock School for Indians, which eventually went on to become Dartmouth College. After graduating early from Windham High School, Don studied engineering at the University of Hartford before serving in the United States Army until 1969. Don's impressive career was focused on engineering and the semiconductor industry. In 2005, he retired as Owner and President of Harbor Controls, a company he started and grew successfully for 26 years. The eternal engineer and tinkerer, Don was always willing to help friends, family, colleagues and neighbors in need no matter what the task- and always with a huge smile. A gifted craftsman, Don's creative legacy is treasured by his family. He had a passion for architecture and landscape design. Most recently, he designed every aspect of his homes on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. His design projects included several homes, barns, furniture, wine cellars, and treasured toy boats – they are a testament to his talent as an engineer and, his deep love of woodworking. Don was an avid golfer and sailor, spending his summers on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, and his winters in Southwest Florida surrounded by friends. Despite battling cancer for the last eight years, Don and Dru travelled through Croatia, Italy, France, The Dalmatian Coast and the Caribbean. He is survived by his loving wife Dru D'Auteuil; his daughters Nicole D'Auteuil Mutnick and Margaux D'Auteuil Peabody; siblings Richard D'Auteuil and Thomas D'Auteuil; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire on June 3rd 2017 at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to The New Hampshire Boat Museum in Wolfeboro, NH to be used towards the children's boat building program.