CHELSEA, Vt. -- Donald Louis Jacques, 73, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, at the Gifford Medical Center in Randolph.He was born May 12, 1932, in Vassalboro, Maine, the son of Francis and Annie Mae (Carey) Jacques.Don graduated from Winslow High School in Winslow, Maine. Following his service in the Navy, he went to school in Toledo, Ohio, to learn meat cutting.He moved to Hartford, Conn., around 1957, where he worked for a supermarket as a meat cutter. He steadily improved his position in the meat department until he was hired as department manager.On May 23, 1959, in Brookfield, he was married to Eleanor Jean Stoddard.They lived in several towns in Connecticut as Don followed his work. They moved to Chelsea in 1972 and bought the Chelsea Country Store which he and his wife operated for 17 years.Along with cutting all the meat for the store, Don also cut up beef cows, pigs and deer for many people in the surrounding areas. Following the sale of the store in 1989, he worked at Howard's Market in South Barre.Although he was officially retired, he always kept himself busy with some kind of part time work. His enjoyment of woodworking grew into a small custom made furniture business called Don's Woodworking. Most recently he worked for the Town of Royalton.One of the many hobbies he enjoyed fishing with his dear friend, Stan Jacobs, as they went trolling the lakes for trout. He also loved his antique and classic automobiles, which won several awards at car shows throughout New England. His most recent ride was in a beautiful 1960 Chevy Impala. Don enjoyed music of all kinds; he might have taken in a concert at the Chandler Hall or just go and sit in on a Thursday night jam session down in South Royalton. He was nuts about snowmobiling and helped both of the local clubs with trail maintenance. He was a member of the Green Mountain Motor Heads Car Club, Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts, Tri Town Travelers Snowmobile Club of Tunbridge, Royalton and Sharon, and a former member and past officer of the Frigid Frost Fighter's Snowmobile Club in Chelsea.Don's contributions to his community included many years of service on the Chelsea Fire Department, a term on the Chelsea School Board and for the past few years serving as MC for the Chelsea Variety Show. He was an incredible fundraiser and helped several local groups and organizations. He is survived by his wife of Chelsea; two sons, Louis M. Jacques and Jeffrey T. Jacques, both of Brookfield; a daughter, Melanie C. Jacques-Staats of Victory; six grandchildren, two foster grandchildren; a sister, Carmen Murphy of Northeast Harbor, Maine; and several nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by four sisters, Doris, Evelyn, Blanch and Vivian.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday night, Nov. 10, at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea.Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the United Church of Chelsea with the Rev. Steven Horrell officiating. Burial will follow in the West Hill Cemetery in Chelsea.Memorial contributions may be made to either the Chelsea Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Roberta Button, treasurer, Chelsea, VT 05038 or First Branch Ambulance Service Inc., P.O. Box 74, Chelsea, VT 05038.