Donald Richard Laufer, 84 of Fairfield passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at St. Joseph 's Center in Trumbull .  Born on November 14, 1934 he was a son of late John Lewis Laufer and Anna Priscilla Chuma Laufer of Lordship in Stratford CT. Donald graduated from Stratford High School and had served with the National Guard.  He started young in the home building industry, learning the trade from his cousin and later Chicago Tech. He enjoyed his life long career as a custom home builder and land-developer.  He was the owner of D.R. Laufer Builder and passed along his skills to his sons who learned the trade and built many homes through-out Fairfield County area and was the developer of Coventry Lane, Stella Lane, and Coventry Meadows in Fairfield. Donald loved to hunt and fish, but most of all enjoyed custom home building/design along with spending time with his family and grandchildren.  He is survived by his widow Margaret Jean Stapleton Laufer and his 5 loving sons; Edward, Russell, Patrick, Donald and James along with his 5 siblings and their spouses; John Laufer, Eleanor Christiano, June (Leonard) Riccio, Marjorie (Frank) Barbary and Barbara (Thomas) Marshall.  He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.   Friends may greet the family on Thursday, December 20, 2018 from 4 to 8 pm at the Dennis & D'Arcy – Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main Street , Stratford .  All other services will be held privately.