New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947
A. Huntley Smith
NEWMARKET - A. Huntley Smith, 92, of The Pines, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, at Exeter Healthcare after a brief illness.
Born May 20, 1909, in Elliots Cove, Newfoundland, he was one of eight children of Archibald and Rachael (Sanson) Smith.
At a young age, he came to the United States and lived in Lynn and Ipswich, Mass., for many years. For 18 years, he lived in Dover and had resided in Newmarket for the past two years. He had wintered in Bradenton, Fla.
He was an engineer and worked for Shetland Manufacturing in Salem for many years. He held a patent on several products which he designed. When Smith Corona purchased Shetland, they retained him as a property management consultant.
He is survived by five children, Elaine G. Graves of Rochester, Helen A. MacWhinnie of Ipswich, Huntley E. Smith of Salem, Mass., Arlene A. Jewett of Raymond and Edward A. Smith of East Kingston; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; two brothers, Donald Smith of Rochester, N.Y., and Otto Smith of Florida; a sister, Ethel Engheben of Florida; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Gertrude E. (Crossman) Smith, who died April 1, 2000.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter St., Newmarket.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. from the funeral home with the Rev. David Wuori officiating.
Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Peabody, Mass. Family flowers only.
Memorial donations may be made to Rockingham VNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Road, Exeter, NH 03833; or the American Cancer Society, 360 State Route 101, Suite 501, Bedford, NH 03110.
Reginald Stone
ROCHESTER - Reginald H. Stone, 80, of 150 Farmington Road, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at Rochester Manor after a long illness.
He was born June 14, 1921, in Rochester, the son of Harry R. and Elsie M. (Freeman) Stone.
He was a lifelong resident of Rochester and had been a foreman at Mayberry Shoe Co. for many years. He also worked as a mechanic at his father’s garage, Stone’s Garage. As a hobby in the 1950s, he built a sports car, which he put in shows in the radical class.
He later worked 20 years for Eastern Propane Company retiring in 1990.
Among his other interests, he enjoyed carpentry, building homes for both of his children. He was known for his woodworking and building and selling lawn ornaments at his home to include the "Uncle Sams."
He loved to go fishing at their cottage at Whites Pond in Ossipee.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Roselyn (Blaisdell) Stone; a son, Reginald H. Jr. and his wife, Janet; a daughter, Carolyn Meader and her husband, John, all of Rochester; two grandsons, Derek Stone of Newton, Mass., and Christopher Stone of Richmond, Va.; a brother, Kenneth C. Stone of Rochester; a sister, Doris L. Taylor of Kissimmee, Fla.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends may visit Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester.
The funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Huggard and the Rev. William Powell officiating.
Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery, Franklin Street, Rochester, in the spring.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Rochester Visiting Nurse Association, Farmington Road, Rochester, NH; or the Rochester Manor Activity Fund, Whitehall Road, Rochester, NH 03867.
Laura Beland
FOXBORO, Mass. - Laura (Gilbert) Beland, 92, of 8 Palmer Road, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2002, at Caritas-Norwood Hospital, following a long illness. She was formerly a longtime resident of Rochester, N.H., and was the widow of William J. Beland, who died Sept. 27, 2000.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by H.J. Grondin & Son Funeral & Cremation Services, 177 North Main St., Rochester, N.H.
Lois Best
BERWICK, Maine - Lois C. Best, 63, of Route 236, Applegate Village, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital after a period of failing health.
Born July 14, 1938, in Newburyport, Mass., she was the daughter of Lawrence and Evelyn (Russell) Bodwell.
She was employed as a CNA at Margowanda Boarding Home. She was loved by many people and enjoyed spending time with her children and especially her grandchildren; also her black cat, "Hambone."
She was an avid bingo player and loved to make crafts to share with her family and friends. She had a very large collection of stuffed and ceramic elephants as well as multiple pieces of elephant jewelry.
Her music interest was country by Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson and Randy Travis.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, James Richard Best Sr. of Berwick; two sons, James Richard Best Jr. and Charles Thomas Best, both of Berwick; three daughters, Laurie Ann Albright of Rochester, Jamie Carol Pickering of Dover and Susan Evelyn Brown of Somersworth; a very special Goddaughter, Katherine Perry of Lebanon; four brothers, twins Lawrence and Leslie Bodwell, Albert Bodwell and Donald Bodwell; two sisters, Anna Mae Cox and Debra Sue Lawrence; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives may call Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Lois’ brother, Albert Bodwell, and the Revs. Paul and Sherrie Pelletier, pastors of the Salvation Army Church of Bath, officiating.
Those who wish may make donations in her memory in c/o James R. Best Jr., P.O. Box 115, Berwick, Maine 03901.
Erwin Brown
ABILENE, Texas - Erwin Maxwell (Max) Brown, 79, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001.
He was born in Milton, N.H., on Jan. 18, 1922, to Lloyd and Josephine (Fabian) Brown.
He was a graduate of Rochester (N.H.) High School, Class of 1939.
He volunteered for the U.S. Air Force and graduated from the top 5 percent of his aviation cadet school. He was an instructor during the first year of World War II and then went to the bombardier school in Big Spring, Texas, where he met and married his loving wife of 59 years, Ella Barnett Brown.
He achieved a dual rating as a navigator and bombardier on the B-29 and B-17s in the 381st bomber group. On his 25th mission, he was shot down over Germany and spent almost two years in the Stalug Luft 3 German prison camp.
He was awarded several medals including the Purple Heart, the POW, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Jubilee of Liberty medal from the government of France for his participation in the D-Day invasion.
He was an electronic technician for many years and retired following employment with the city of Abilene. He was a motivational speaker in the training of U.S. Air Force troops relating to his experience as a World War II bombardier and prisoner of war. He also taught patriotism to young students in the Abilene public school system.
Mr. Brown was a tremendous athlete throughout his life and an avid golfer. He was an adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a member of the Abilene chapter of the ex-POW group, Veterans of Foreign Wars 381st Bomber Group alumni and the Purple Heart Organization.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Ella of Abilene; two daughters, Cheryll Brown of Lake Kiowa and Karen Ashford of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; one brother, Barton Brown of Hawkins; one sister, Joyce Rollins of Rochester, N.H.; three grandchildren, Gene Shadle of Abilene, Brandon Bumpas of Fort Worth and Bill Bumpas of Arlington; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Leslie; and a sister, Lois Brown.
Services were held Dec. 5 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Woods, pastor, and Chaplain Sam Gregory officiating.
Burial followed with full military honors at Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elmwood Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79601.
Freda Cate
EXETER - Freda Wilma Cate, 94, of 9 Old Manchester Road, died on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002 at the Exeter Hospital in Exeter.
She was born on Sept. 24, 1907 in Hardwick, Vt., the daughter of the late Fred and Wilma (Hall) Goodridge.
A lifelong resident of Raymond, she was a clerk and seamstress at the Exeter Handkerchief Company.
She was a charter member of the Raymond Baptist Church, where she also taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ray-Fre Senior Citizens Center in Raymond.
She was predeceased by her husband, Carl Cate Sr., and a son, Alvin Cate.
She is survived by four sons, Carl Cate Jr. of Conroe, Texas, Myron Cate of Haysprings, Neb., John Cate of Raymond, N.H. and Bob Thistle of Exeter, N.H.; four daughters, Eileen Dalton of North Hampton, N.H., Sandra Courtemanche of Raymond, N.H., Jane Bassett of Stirling, Va., and Barbara Webster of California; 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one brother, Fred Goodridge of Needham Heights, Mass.; one sister, Grace Babineau of Concord, N.H. and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Jan. 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Brewitt Funeral Home, On the Common, Raymond. Funeral services will be held on Monday at the Raymond Baptist Church in Raymond, N.H., at 10 a.m. The Rev. Michael Chouinard will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Old Pine Grove Cemetery Raymond.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Raymond Baptist Church, Benevolent Fund, Route 27, Raymond, N.H. 03077.
Rowan Nye
MENASHA, Wis. - Rowan A. Nye, 80, died on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001.
He was born March 24, 1921, in Island Falls, Maine, the son of Joseph A. and M. Gertrude (White) Nye.
A veteran, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a musician and started playing in bands while in high school. He played in Canada, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. He played the last seven years with the Habeneros Jazz Band for ages 65 and up.
He visited with his sisters in Rochester, N.H., for many years.
He is survived by three sons, Commander (U.S. Navy retired) Michael A. Nye Whittermore and his wife Melody of California, Bill Nye and his wife Linda of St. Louis, Mo., (where he passed away), Will Nye of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Robin N. and her husband Homer C. Burdick Jr. of Kittery, Maine, and Ginny Nye of Chicago, Ill.; a stepson, Joe (Carmen) Foster of Chicago, Ill.; a stepdaughter, Pam Hetherwick of Jackson, Mich.; a sister, Miss Frances Nye of Rochester, N.H., and Tuscon, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his special friend Pat P. of Menasha.
He was predeceased by his wife Bettie; a brother, Warren Nye of New Hampshire; a sister, Florence N. Gerrish of Rochester, N.H.; and a grandson, Scott.
Robert Pickett
GREENLAND - Robert J. Pickett, 71, of 571 Post Road died Monday, Jan. 7, 2002, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover.
He was born in Portsmouth on June 12, 1930, the son of the late Charles W. and Gertrude (Maertins) Pickett. Mr. Pickett attended Portsmouth schools.
After his employment in the Merchant Marines as a seaman, Mr. Pickett was employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for many years.
A memorial service will be held at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad St., Portsmouth, on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Friends are invited.
Donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, N.H. 03801.
Arrangements are by J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel.
Steven Tracy Prescott
PITTSFIELD - Steven Tracy Prescott, 35, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2002, at his parents’ home at 121 Fairview Road after a long struggle with a chronic illness.
He was born in Concord and was a graduate of Concord High School, Class of 1985. He also earned an associate’s degree at the University of New Hampshire.
Mr. Prescott was a self-employed carpenter and builder of Cobb houses, and had lived in Portland, Ore., for three years before returning to Pittsfield. He was a passionate cross-country skier. He was also a musician and loved rock climbing, nature, life and his family.
He is survived by his parents, Robert G. and Patricia (Healy) Prescott of Pittsfield; six brothers, Robert G. Prescott II of Boston, Mass., William J. Prescott of Concord, Thomas G. Prescott of Ayer, Mass., James W. Prescott of Chatsworth, Calif., Daniel H. Prescott of Manchester and Mark J. Prescott of Portland, Ore.; four sisters, Gail T. Heitmann of Amesbury, Mass., Margaret M. Butler of Hallsville, Texas, Denise L. Prescott of Brattleboro, Vt., and Virginia M. Prescott of Cambridge, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main St., Concord.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, at 9 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 72 South Main St., Concord. The Rev. Georges DeLaire will be the celebrant.
The family suggests that donations be made to the Carmelite Monastery, 275 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301 or to the New England Home Therapy, 40 Terrill Drive, Concord, NH 03301.
Patricia Quimby
MILTON MILLS - Patricia (Ayotte) Quimby, 62, of Milton Mills died suddenly on Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, at her winter home in Beverly Hills, Fla.
Born Oct. 6, 1939 in Augusta, Maine, the daughter of George and Victoria (Duguay) Ayotte, she was one of nine children. She was a graduate of Cony High School, Class of 1957, in Augusta, Maine.
She had resided in Milton Mills for more than 25 years, having moved there in 1973, and had worked in several area shoe shops. An avid gardener, she also enjoyed quilting, crocheting and fishing in the summer and winter.
Survivors include her husband of 13 years, Willard "Tinker" Quimby of Milton Mills; mother, Victoria Ayotte of Sidney, Maine; six children: Debora Peare of Somersworth, Willis (Bill) Whitten and Tammy Smith, both of Milton Mills, Jeffery Whitten of Rollinsford, Barry Whitten of Laconia, Chris Whitten of Farmington; seven grandchildren, Stephen, Victoria, Daniel, Nicholas, Tyler, Joshua and Zackery; three brothers, Bob Ayotte of York, S.C., Ronald Ayotte of Coopers Mills, Maine, and Paul Ayotte of Sidney, Maine and four sisters, Jeanette Woodward of Brewer, Maine, Arlene Goodhue of Punta Gorda, Fla., Doris Woodward of York, S.C. and Dorothy Bickford of Sidney, Maine; also many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, George; a sister, Rita and a grandson, Seth Whitten.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002, at 2 p.m. at C.E. Peaslee and Son Funeral Home, 32 Central St., Farmington, with the Rev. Alfred Weeden, pastor of the Milton Assembly of God, officiating.
A calling hour will be held prior to the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the spring at the Milton Mills Cemetery.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Merrimack St., Manchester, NH 03101.
John Bernier
DOVER - John R. Bernier, 76, of 281 Washington St., died Friday, Jan. 11, 2002, at his home.
Born in Somersworth on Oct. 11, 1925, he was the son of Joseph L. and Joanne (Cruikshank) Bernier.
During World War II, he served in the U. S. Army and had been a resident of Dover for over 50 years.
Mr. Bernier was employed as an insulator for many years by the International Association of Heat, Frost and Asbestos Workers, Local No. 6. Prior to that he was a self-employed carpenter.
He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church.
He was a member of the American Legion, Rollinsford Post No. 47.
Family members include four sons, J. Richard Bernier of Norwood, Mass., Joseph M. Bernier of Rollinsford, David R. Bernier of Dover, and Peter J. Bernier of Dover; two daughters, Nancy A. Duquette of Milton, and Susan C. Bernier of Hampton; two sisters, Christine Robertson of Rye, and Barbara Chabot of Somersworth; five grandchildren, Steven Duquette of Ogunquit, Maine, Scott Duquette of South Berwick, Maine, Marissa, Lauren and Natalie Bernier, all of Dunson, Scotland; one great-granddaughter, Ryann Duquette of Ogunquit, Maine.
He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara A. (Mone) Bernier, who died Oct. 26, 1998, two brothers, Charles and Robert Bernier, and one sister, Joanne Consalvo.
Relatives and friends may call Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Church, with the Rev. Robert F. Cole, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary New Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Home Care and Hospice, 113 New Rochester Road, Suite 4, Dover, NH 03820.
