West Brookfield-Donald L. Larkin died Wednesday, February 3, 2021, from complications of Covid-19. In his final days, he was tenderly cared for by staff of Hamilton Community Memorial Hospital and Crouse Hospital, Syracuse. Donald Lee Larkin was born April 4, 1925, to Edward Leroy and Lesa Maie Hodges Larkin. He was a lifelong resident of West Brookfield, having begun his education in the one-room York Schoolhouse, and graduating from Brookfield Central School. After completing an agriculture degree at Morrisville College, he enlisted in the US Army and was trained as a paratrooper. Donald was on board a troop transport when news was received of VJ-Day. His ship was re-routed and he served with occupation forces in Japan. Returning from Asia, Donald married his high school sweetheart, Esther Elizabeth Marvin, on March 4, 1948, and they set up housekeeping on the West Brookfield acreage where they operated a family dairy farm until retirement. He loved the great outdoors and fostered that love in his offspring, sharing his knowledge of trees, plants, constellations, birds, and other wildlife. Adventuring by motorized vehicle was also a pleasant pastime, whether by car in the Adirondacks, through the dirt roads of the Brookfield State Lands, or exploring his own woodlands in his Kubota 4-wheeler. Being a caring husband, dad to four active, happy kids and managing a herd of Holsteins seems like plenty of work, but Don also found time and energy for involvement in his community. He was a 65 year member of Johnson-Rogers Post 1492 of the American Legion, and was the last surviving WWII veteran in Brookfield. He served as President of the Brookfield Central School Board of Education. He was a member of local churches all his life, as well as an officer of Brookfield Grange, a member of Dairymen's League, Farm Bureau, and Town of Brookfield Historical Society. For many years, Don was Trustee of the Brookfield Rural Cemetery Association, keeping the grounds carefully groomed. He also voluntarily maintained some of the smaller local cemeteries. Early in his farming career he was named Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in Madison County, and in 1996 was honored as a Senior Citizen of the Year. Donald is survived by Esther, his wife of 72 years, his sister, Doris Edwards of Orlando, FL, sister-in-law, Kathleen Larkin of Waterville; his children, Frederick Larkin and Millie Chapman of Brookfield, Thomas Larkin of Fountain Hills, AZ, Joan and Doug Gast of Stone Mountain, GA, Brian and Terri Larkin of Earlville; grandchildren Sean (Anne) Larkin, Jason Larkin, Joliene Larkin, Nathan Larkin, Kyle (Leah) Larkin, Noelle Gast, Amber Gast, Chris (Paula) Larkin, Randy Larkin; 11 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elizabeth Lopesz, brothers Harry, Paul and Colin Larkin. Services with military honors will be announced later this spring. Arrangements are by Paul Funeral Home, with burial in the Brookfield Rural Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Brookfield, or the Johnson-Rogers American Legion Post 1492. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: paulfuneralhome.net