Obituary: Alan W. Dunster Jr.

June 13, 1948 - December 11, 2023 

Alan W. Dunster Jr. 1948-2023

Alan W. Dunster Jr., 75, of Waterbury, Vermont, passed away peacefully on the early morning of  December 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester after his brave and courageous battle with cancer.

Alan was born in Burlington, Vermont, on June 13, 1948. He was the son of the late Alan W. Dunster Sr., and Rebecca (Bennett) Dunster. Alan grew up in Duxbury and Waterbury and was a graduate of Harwood Union High School in 1967. Alan joined the United States Air Force for seven years, and did multiple tours in Vietnam, where he obtained the rank of staff sergeant. 

Alan met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Morse, in Waterbury, and they married on July 9, 1968. He and Mary had two beautiful children, Alan W. Dunster III and Melissa J. Dunster. 

In 1976, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force. Alan took great pride in serving his country and stood for our freedom with honor. 

Alan met his best friend and old war buddy, Paul Borelle, while serving in the military. Borelle said, “Alan was the best friend I ever had. He was like my brother I never had. He was fun to be with, and we had a lot of adventures in the military. He loved his family more than anything. He was a great man, and I will truly miss him.” Mary and Alan would go to see Paul and Bootsie every year in Pennsylvania. They shared many stories about Vietnam and the shenanigans they would cause. It was a very special trip for Mary and Alan.

Alan lost Mary (Morse) Dunster, the love of his life and wife of 47 years, on June 4, 2015. Alan is survived by his daughter, Melissa J. Dunster and his son Alan W. Dunster III and his wife, Taunya of Waterbury Center; four grandchildren, McCray Dunster and Cidney both of Hartsville, South Carolina; Mackenzie and Kaleb of Barre, and Leah of Waterbury Center; and four great-grandchildren. Also, his siblings Deanna Dunster and her partner Bill Smith; Tina Wilder and husband Steve of Duxbury; Deborah Tighe of South Carolina; his sister-in-law, Diane Dunster of Barre; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and extended family. 

Alan was preceded in death by his mother Rebecca Leah Dunster in 1985, his father Alan W. Dunster Sr. in 2003, and his brother Ronald W. Dunster in 2017.

Alan was a devoted husband and father. He took great pride in his family. More importantly, he was about respect, loyalty and not only to himself, but to his wife and family. He was a kind and loving soul who would help anyone in need, an honest, compassionate, generous, selfless, well-rounded, very respected family man who was true to himself who also had a great sense of humor and a sarcastic wit about him. Anyone who got the chance to get to know him loved him. 

In his free time, he enjoyed family trips, music, square dancing, playing guitar, playing pool, long walks, hunting and fishing. But his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Alan retired from the Vermont State Hospital and was a member of the Harry N. Cutting American Legion Post #59 the former VFW Post #10034 and the Wesley United Methodist Church of Waterbury.

A graveside service will be held at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph in the spring of 2024 at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy, Colchester, VT 05446 or online at  uvmhomehealth.org. To send online condolences, please visit perkinsparker.com.