Three-Time Claremont Speedway Champion Dynamite Donnie Ayer Passes at 60
The Modified Racing Series would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends on “Dynamite Donnie Ayer.”
Donnie Ayer, 60, of Cornish died peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 18, 2009 surrounded by his loving family and dogs Mickey and Smoke. Donnie was born on April 3, 1948 in Claremont, the son of Percy “Elmer” and Louise “Dolly” (Simms) Ayer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Jennifer (Jones), who he married on January 21, 1967. His children Philip Ayer and daughter-in-law Georgiana of Radcliff, Kentucky and Michelle Lavigne and son-in-law Jeff of Claremont. His grandchildren include Craig and Cassandra Lavigne and Zachary and Joshua Ayer. He is also survived by his brother, Larry Ayer of Ascutney, VT and his sister, Jane Companion of Claremont.
He was employed by Gray Brothers Builders of Windsor, VT, working as a carpenter until June 2008. He also held numerous other jobs throughout his life, including the State of New Hampshire Highway Department, Sturm-Ruger, LeBlanc Drywall and owned a small drywall business, Ayer drywall for many years.
Donnie was predeceased by his mother, Dolly on November 23, 1990, his father, Elmer on February 7, 2006, and a brother, Thomas Goyette, on September 6, 2005.
Donnie was a member of the John P. Larkin Country Club in Windsor, VT and a former long-standing member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Club 1203 in Claremont.
He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, and was an avid fan of NASCAR. He spent 20 years racing stock cars at tracks throughout New England, winning three track championships at Claremont Speedway. Donnie was known as “Dynamite Donnie Ayer” and for being one of the local “groundpounders” of modified racing. Donnie had his weekly race rituals and would always give the peace sign to his kids and fans as he drove onto the track for each race. He ended his racing career in 1988 to spend more time with family and friends and in turn became an avid golf player.
Family and Friends may visit on Tuesday, January 20th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St., Claremont.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Stringer Funeral Home with Reverend Dale Nichols of the United Church of Cornish officiating. A reception will follow at the Union Episcopal Church Hall, on the Old Church Road in Claremont. Burial will be held in the spring in Comings Cemetery, Cornish, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victory Junction Gang Camp/Ricky’s Race for Kids PO Box 709, Windsor, VT 05089 or to the Visiting Nurse Alliance & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, 66 Benning Street, Suite 6, W Lebanon, NH 03784.
Sources: Modified Racing Series PR