New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947
Ruth Emerson
ROLLINSFORD - Ruth Porter Emerson, 90, of 54 Old Mill Lane, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital after a period of failing health.
Born Feb. 10, 1911, in South Berwick, Maine, she was the daughter of Warren and Catherine (Agnew) Porter. She was a lifelong resident of Rollinsford and graduated from Dover High School.
She was caretaker of her farm, a member of Red Cross during World War II and was a well-known Rollinsford historian. She was involved in cemetery restoration and Rollinsford’s bicentennial celebration. She was author of Rollinsford Heritage with her dear friend, Florence Greenaway. She was former owner of Emerson Antiques, a member of Hiram Roberts Grange, Rollinsford Garden Club as a 32-year charter member, Rollinsford School Board, chairman of the Rollinsford March of Dimes, Rollinsford Cancer Drive and Rollinsford Heart Fund Drive.
She was knowledgeable with family genealogies and helped families in their research.
Survivors include a son, Lucius "Mike" and his wife, Barbara Emerson of Rollinsford; four daughters, Louise Marston of Fort Pierce, Fla., Katherine Blais, Betty Turgeon and her husband, Paul, and Linda Turcotte and her husband, John, all of Rollinsford; one brother, Joseph L. Porter of Rollinsford; 21 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a dear friend, Florence Greenaway.
She was predeceased by her husband, George W. Emerson Sr.; two sons, George W. and William W. Emerson; four brothers, Herman C., Thornton A., George F. and Haven P. Porter; and one sister, Barbara Magaw.
Funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Cole, pastor, Bethel Christian Church officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m., one hour prior to the funeral service.
Burial will take place in New Town Cemetery in the spring.
Those who wish may make donations in her memory to the Town of Rollinsford, Colonel Paul Wentworth House Project Fund, P.O. Box 309, Rollinsford, NH 03809-0300
Sandra Forest
ROCHESTER - Sandra "Sandy" Lee Forest, 48, of 45 Howard Brook Dr., died unexpectedly Sunday morning, Feb. 3, 2002, at her home.
She was the wife of Nelson Forest.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by H.J. Grondin & Son Funeral & Cremation Services, 177 North Main St., Rochester.
Marie Gagne
LACONIA - Marie A. (Theberge) Gagne, 85, formerly of 53 Dartmouth St., died at the Belknap County Nursing Home on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002.
She was the widow of Donat T. Gagne who died in 1994.
Mrs. Gagne was born Nov. 11, 1916, in Berlin, the daughter of Leon and Jeanne (Boulanger) Theberge. She lived in Kennebunkport, Maine, for a number of years before moving to Laconia in 1969.
Survivors include a son, Donald C. Gagne of Concord; two daughters, Janet L. Bolduc of Laconia and Diane M. Krafton of Atkinson; six grandchildren, Donald C. Bolduc, Armond J. Bolduc, David R. Bolduc, Michelle Bolduc-Muzzey, Paula M. Moynihan and Laura A, Moynihan; and seven great-grandchildren, Holly M. Bolduc, Joshua N. Bolduc, Zachary E. Bolduc, Matthew A. Bolduc, Haley M. Bolduc, Noah T. Bolduc, and Drew T. Muzzey.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 500 Morrill Street, Gilford, the Rev. Hector Bolduc, Pastor of the Church, will officiate.
Spring Burial will be in the family lot in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Belknap County Nursing Home Activities Fund, 30 County Drive, Laconia, NH 03246. Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia is in charge of the arrangements.
Catherine Grubb
DOVER - Catherine S. Grubb, 88, of 60 Middle Road, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Brookline, N.Y., she graduated magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College.
She was married to L. Edward Grubb, president and CEO of INCO, who predeceased her.
She was a published poet, an accomplished equestrian and sailor.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy S. Byrd of Stuart, Fla.; a son, William H. Grubb of Bradenton, Fla.; and seven grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820.
The Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover, is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Lavin
EPSOM - Dorothy F. Lavin, 83, formerly of Shackford Corner Road, Center Barnstead, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, at the Epsom Manor, Inc.
She was born in Methuen, Mass., the daughter of Patrick and Mildred (Bower) Madden. She had lived in Barnstead since 1953.
Mrs. Lavin was self-employed for many years as a beautician owning and operating the Rose Bud Beauty Salon, then later owned the L & M Realty in Barnstead.
She was a former member of the Center Barnstead Christian Church, the Comet Club, the American Legion Auxiliary Post, in Barnstead and the Nighthawk Hollow Senior Citizens.
She was predeceased by her husband, Wesley Lavin; one sister, Margaret Miller.
She is survived by one son, Wes Lavin of Ashland; and one uncle.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the Perkins Funeral Home, Inc., 60 Main St., Pittsfield, from 6 to 8 p.m.
A graveside service will be held in the spring in the Riverview Cemetery, Barnstead.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to her memory to the Center Barnstead Christian Church, P.O. Box 190, Barnstead, NH 03225.
The Perkins Funeral Home, Cremation Service & Monument Co., 60 Main St., Pittsfield, is in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Pease
DOVER - Gladys Eleanor Pease, 85, formerly of Auburn Street, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at the Wentworth Home.
Born in Rollinsford on Nov. 17, 1916, the daughter of Marvin F. and Harriet (Abbott) Pease.
She moved to Dover at the age of 14 and was a graduate of Dover High School and the McIntosh Business College, Class of 1935.
In 1937, she went to work as a secretary in the Education Department at the University of New Hampshire and retired in 1986. After her retirement, she continued to work part-time in the English Department at UNH. When she retired at the age of 81, she had a total of 61 years there.
She was a member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club, the Somersworth Grange, the Eastern New Hampshire Pomona Grange, an active member of Woman’s Relief Corps and was secretary for the Homemakers Auxiliary of Strafford County.
She attended the Hope Community Church.
She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Roland A. Pease.
She is survived by several cousins.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 12 p.m. at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., with the Rev. Steve Spearing, pastor of the Hope Community Church, officiating.
Burial will be in the family lot in New Town Cemetery in the spring.
Flowers are acceptable or those who wish are invited to make memorials in her name to the Homemakers of Strafford County, 215 Rochester Hill Road, Rochester, NH 03867-1775; or to the UNH Scholarship Fund, c/o Eliot Alumni Center, Durham, NH 03824.
Ruth Randall
BERWICK, Maine - Ruth M. Randall, 87, of Sullivan Street, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at York Hospital.
She was born in Berwick, Jan. 8, 1915, the daughter of Noah and Nettie Toothaker Randall. She worked at Queensbury Mills as a weaver. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Berwick and taught Sunday school there for many years. She is survived by one sister, Christine Bates of Berwick and several cousins.
Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements by Laing Funeral Chapel, 36 Rochester St., Berwick.
Alfonso Tarantino III
RYE - Alfonso "Funzi" Aldo Tarantino III, 90, of 9 Frontier St., died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002.
Born July 17, 1911, in Patterson, N.J., he was the third of 12 children born to Alfonso Aldo and Maria (Melluso) Tarantino.
He resided in Rye for 33 years with his wife, Doris, who died in 1985.
Mr. Tarantino retired from Vallee’s Restaurant in 1984 at the age of 72. He enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises, his most favorite trip being to Italy in 1986.
Since 1969, he has traveled to New York twice a year to attend annual family reunions. He enjoyed playing chess and cards with friends, was a member of the Elks, several breakfast clubs and was an avid N.Y. Yankees’ fan. His greatest pleasure was dinners surrounded by his family and visits from his brother, Alfred.
The father of eight children, he is survived by seven, Cheryl Tarantino, Stephanie Tarantino, Andrea Green, Lisa Donovan, Robert Tarantino, Eric Tarantino and Jerry Tarantino; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who referred to him as "Grumpy"; three brothers, Alfred, Monty and Ott; a sister, Jean; many nieces and nephews who reside in New York.
He was predeceased by his son, Bruce Tarantino of Rye, who passed away in 1985.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Summer Street, Portsmouth, on Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Visiting hours at the Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State St., Portsmouth, Tuesday, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of New Hampshire, 9 Cedarwood Road, Bedford, NH 03110.
A. Hazen Tufts Jr.
WELLS, Maine - A. Hazen Tufts Jr., 49, of Bears Den Road passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, peacefully at his home after a courageous fight with cancer.
He was born May 3, 1952, in Sanford, Maine, a son of Arthur Hazen and Sheila A. (Tracy) Tufts.
He was a graduate of Wells High School as well as Husson College. While attending Wells High School, he played varsity basketball and had been junior class president. He had been an engineering technician at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in North Berwick since 1980.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Wells, the Demolay and an active fund-raiser for the United Way of York County.
He was predeceased by a sister, Alice Tufts.
He is survived by his parents of Wells; his wife of 26 years, Jo-Ann (Leslie) Tufts and a son, Arthur Hazen Tufts III, both of Wells; a daughter, Tamara Tufts of Kennebunk; two brothers, Marcus and David, both of Wells; many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, Route 1, Wells, with the Rev. John Simpson officiating.
Family flowers only. Friends who wish may contribute to the United Way of York County, 36 Water St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Arrangements by the Johnson Funeral Home, North Berwick.
Rodney Brock
GREENLAND - Rodney G. Brock, 62, husband of Priscilla (Lessard) Brock and son of the late Rodney E. and Gladys Brock of Claremont, died suddenly on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002.
He was born in Claremont on Sept. 11, 1939. He graduated from Stevens High School in 1957 and went on to the University of New Hampshire. He graduated in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
Mr. Brock served in the U.S. Army Artillery as a commissioned officer from 1961-63, entered the U.S. Army Reserve, serving from 1964-68, and received his honorable discharge as captain, United States Reserve in 1968.
He served as president/chief executive officer of Service Federal Credit Union, then Pease Federal Credit Union and then Service Credit Union, Portsmouth, from December 1963 through December 1994. He was also a member of the Defense Credit Union Council board of directors from 1984-93. He served in various officer positions to include secretary, second vice chairman and first vice chairman, a position he last held just prior to his retirement from the board.
He was very active in the Portsmouth community, having served on the Foundation for Seacoast Health as president and treasurer; the Portsmouth Hospital as incorporator, trustee and treasurer; the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce in the positions of director, vice president and member; was a director and later president of the United Way from 1972-75; was appointed by former U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman, R-N.H., in 1983 to the Military Service Academy Selection Board, where he served many years; was an honorary squadron commander at Pease Air Force Base, from 1980-90; active in the Seacoast Military Affairs Council as a member, chairman and secretary; Portsmouth Lions Club director, president and member; and was an honorary member of the Portsmouth Rotary Club.
He was a member of the North Congregational Church in Portsmouth and served as church council member, deacon and trustee. He was an active participant in the restoration of the North Church steeple.
Besides his wife of 40 years, he is survived by his children, Richard S. Brock and his wife, Michelle of Georgetown, Mass., Robin L. Brock and David Hamel of Somersworth, Donald J. Brock and his wife, Nancy of Newburyport, Mass.; grandchildren, Benjamin, Jonathan and Zachary Brock of Georgetown, Mass.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty A. and James J. McGuire of North Berwick, Maine, Joan M. and Robert Caron of Rye and Beverly J. and David Aubuchon of Westminster, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial calling hours will be Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home-Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad St., Portsmouth, and a memorial service will be held Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, at 11 a.m. at the North Congregational Church, Market Square, Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Congregational Church, 355 Spinney Road, Portsmouth, N.H. 03801.
Gary Gobar
Hampton - Gary D. Gobar, 61, of 16 Josephine Drive died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 at Exeter Hospital.
He was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Aug. 13, 1940, the son of the late Donald and Woodyce (Wiseman) Gobar.
Mr. Gobar graduated from high school in St. Paul in 1957. Upon graduation, Mr. Gobar was activated into service, where he served with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam as a senior chief commissary man. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart.
Moving to Hampton in 1987, Mr. Gobar was an active member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as a member of the vestry, was active with the soup kitchen as chef and also assisted in the roles of Sunday school.
He enjoyed freshwater bass fishing and was a member of the Raymond Bass Masters and also the New Hampshire’s Let’s Go Fishing program.
He was predeceased by a brother, David Gobar.
He was the husband of Carol (Campbell) for 36 years.
In addition to his wife, family members include four children, Donald L. Gobar of Dayton, Ohio, Scott A. Gobar of Brunswick, Maine, Gail D. Gobar of Moyock, N.C., and Gretchen D. Gobar of Hampton; six grandchildren, Amber, David, A.J., Alex, Danielle and Alden; three brothers, Bruce Gobar of Reno, Nev., Michael Gobar of Minneapolis, Minn. and Brian Gobar of St. Cloud, Minn.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be at noon on Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, in the Trinity Episcopal Church, Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Following cremation, burial will be at the High Street Cemetery, Hampton on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, at 11 a.m. The family requests that flowers please be omitted. If desired, donations may be made in memory of Gary D. Gobar to the Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High St., Hampton, N.H. 03842.
Robert LaBonte
ROCHESTER - Robert J. LaBonte, 59, of Sprucewood Drive passed away Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Holyoke, Mass., he was the son of the late Leon and Anne (Haber) LaBonte. He resided in South Hadley, Mass., until locating to Rochester in 1985. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, he received a bachelor’s degree in pulp and fiber science.
He was employed at Lydall in Rochester as a research and development engineer. Prior to working at Lydall, Bob was employed at Texon Papers in South Hadley, Mass. Bob was greatly loved and admired by his family, friends and co-workers, for his intelligence, quick wit and great fortitude, as he dealt with many serious health issues.
He received the gift of life in 1989 with a kidney transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Diana (Baer) LaBonte of Rochester; a son, Robert M. LaBonte of Rochester; a brother, Daniel J. LaBonte of Indianapolis, Ind.; three sisters, Joyce LaBonte of Worcester, Mass., Nancy Leutert and her husband, Paul of Mendon, Mass., and Joan LaBonte of Chicopee, Mass.
He was predeceased by a sister, Carol LaBonte Cooper.
A funeral will be held Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, at 9 a.m. from the Ryder Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church with burial at St. Rose Cemetery, all of South Hadley, Mass. Calling hours are Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Charles Children’s Home, 19 Grant St., Rochester, N.H. 03867 or Rochester VNA Hospice Program, 178 Farmington Road, Rochester, N.H. 03867.
