Author: Canaan Town Library

James E. Simpson, II

From the May 1, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–James E. Simpson II, 48, died Friday evening, April 28, 2000, at the Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident.

He was born in New London, NH on August 26, 1951, a son of James E. Simpson, Sr. and Dora (Crandlemere) Simpson. He grew up in Lebanon and was a graduate of Lebanon High School class of 1969. He later graduated from Keene State College in 1973. He and his father owned and operated Shaker Bridge Used Furniture for many years. Most recently, he was teaching at Hartford High School and the Alternative Program in Wilder. Most of his life he’s been involved with collecting antiques.

He is survived by his wife, Amy May (Bond) Simpson and a cousin, Judy Hodgdon of Lebanon.

Private family service will be held at a later date.

Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Donald E. McAlister

From the May 1, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Donald E. MacAlister, 72, died on early Friday morning, April 28, 2000 at the Hanover Terrace Healthcare Center following a long illness. He was born in Canaan, NH on April 17, 1928 the son of Earl and Alice (Recard) McAlister. He was a lifelong resident of Canaan where he graduated from high school. Following high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving both WWII and the Korean Conflict. In 1948 he was married to Rita Monroe and they have made their home in Canaan for the past 52 years. Mr. McAlister was employed for 32 years as a brakeman for Boston & Maine Railroad and retired in 1984. He was a member of the American Legion in Canaan and served the Town of Canaan on the Budget Committee for two terms. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting and gardening. and most of all loved his family.

He is survived by his wife Rita McAlister of Canaan, two sons Jack and David McAlister both of Canaan, a brother Gordon McAlister of Canaan, 2 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Monday evening at 7 pm at the Ricker Funeral Home on Rte. 4 in Enfield with the Pastor John Crilley officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

Albert George Belloir

From the April 24, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH– Albert George Belloir, 68, died Saturday, April 22, 2000, at the Veterans Affair Hospital in White River Junction, VT following a long illness. He was born in Grafton, NH on March 31, 1932, a son of the late George L. and Lennie (Morse) Belloir. A lifelong Grafton resident, he attended local schools and was a U.S. Army Veteran. He had owned and operated his own drilling, lasting, and excavating business; had worked for Hazen Lumber Co., and had worked for Palazzi Construction Co. He was a member of the American Legion, and enjoyed bird-watching, gardening and visiting his friends.

He is survived by: Brothers, Lester E. of Franklin, NH, Lawrence E. of W. Canaan; Shirley R. of Andover, NH, and John D. of Franklin, NH; Sisters, Laura Hewitt of Grafton, NH, Barbara E. Cote of Bristol, NH, Avis M. Huckins of Milford, NH; and Frances E. Blanchard of Limington, ME; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by: George L. Belloir, Sr., father; Lennie Belloir, mother; and George L. Belloir, Jr., brother, who died on Nov. 30, 1998.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, Rte. 4, Enfield, Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm. Graveside committal services will be held on Sunday, April 30 at 2 pm in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton, NH. The Rev. Thomas Warner will officiate.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Belloir may be made to: The Grafton Historical Society, c/o Town Offices, Grafton, NH 03204.

Leslie Edward Rogers, Jr.

From the April 24, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Leslie Edward Rogers, Jr., 64, died on Sunday April 16, 2000. He was born on November 12, 1935 in Bristol, PA to Leslie E. Rogers, Sr. and Marie (VanSoest) Rogers. He attended Bristol, PA schools and worked for 31 years as a postal service executive. He was employed by the Bristol, PA Post Office for many years and had served as Postmaster of the Ft. Washington, PA Post Office for 10 years. He and his wife of 46 years, Marion (Gorman) Rogers, retired to Canaan where Mr. Rogers worked at the Cardigan Mt. School in the athletic maintenance department.

He was predeceased by: Leslie E. Rogers, Sr., father and Marie Rogers, mother

He is survived by: Marion (Gorman) Rogers, wife, of Canaan; Stephen and Leslie III, sons, both of Canaan; Timothy, son, of Philadelphia, PA; Andrew, son, of Anderson, SC; Regina Wiseman, daughter, of Jersey Shore, PA; Jennifer Kahn, daughter, of Canaan; Judith Chaffee, sister, of Leavittown, PA; 17 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild

There will be no calling hours and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made in his name to Marion Rogers, RD#1 Box 112A, Canaan, NH 03741, to establish a memorial garden in his memory. Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon, NH is in charge of arrangements.

Christian McConnell McVey

from the April 24, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Graveside Committal Services for Christain McConnell McVey, who died January 12, 2000 at the age of 91, will be held Monday April 24 at 1:00 pm in the Canaan Street Cemetery in Canaan, NH. Rev. Patricia Williams will officiate. The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Harry E. Powell

From the April 24, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Orange, NH–Graveside Committal Services for Harry E. Powell, who died March 11, 2000 at the age of 97, will be held Saturday April 29 at 2 pm in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton, NH. The Rev. Patricia Williams will officiate. The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Christian McConnell McVey

From the April 24, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Graveside Committal Services for Christian McConnell McVey, who died January 12, 2000 at the age of 91, will be held Monday April 24 at 1 pm in the Canaan Street Cemetery in Canaan, NH. The Rev. Patricia Williams will officiate. The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Hazelton

From the April 10, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Walter Hazelton, Jr., 68, died Tuesday April 4, 2000 at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH, He was born in Orange, NH on April 28, 1931, a son of Walter & Frances (Wiley) Hazelton, Sr. and attended local schools. A lifelong area resident, he had worked for Split Ballbearing; and retired in 1993 as custodian at Mascoma Valley Regional High School. He will be remembered for his gardens and love of animals. He was married Dec. 2, 1966 to Ethel (Black).

There will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice.

He was predeceased by: Walter Hazelton, Sr., father.

He is survived by: Frances Miller, mother, of Dorchester, NH; Ethel Hazelton, wife, of Canaan, NH; Walter F. Hazelton, son, of Grafton, NH; Daniel M. Hazelton, son, of Orange, NH; Jane Valia, daughter, of Lebanon, NH; Linda Landry, sister, of Dorchester, NH; 4 grandchildren, 1 nephew and several cousins.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph “Toofie” F. Thomas

From the April 3, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lady Lake, FL–Joseph “Toofie” F. Thomas, 66, of Lady Lake died Sunday March 19, 2000. He was born in 1934 in Claremont, NH and moved in 1992 to Lady Lake, FL from Grafton, where he was the owner of the Grafton General Store.

Mr. Thomas had previously worked for the City of Cambridge, MA. And had owned J. F. Thomas & Sons Movers. He was a member of Elks Lodge No. 839 and Mizpath-Faith Masonic Lodge, both in Cambridge.

He was predeceased by a son, John F. Thomas, and a brother, Robert Thomas.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor K. (Francis) Thomas of Lady Lake, FL; two daughters, Renee Nagle of Plymouth, MA, and Paula Webster of Grafton, NH; two sons, Joseph III of Grafton, NH and James F. of Grafton, MA, four brothers and four sisters; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

He will be buried in Grafton, NH at a later date.

John C. Johnson, Jr.

From the March 27, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH–John C. Johnson, Jr., 36, of Grafton died on March 20, in Dorchester, NH. He was born in Lebanon on February 20, 1964 the son of the late John C. Johnson, Sr. and Vicki Maude Roberts Johnson. He was a lifelong resident of the Upper Valley and was a graduate of Mascoma Valley Regional High School. He was self employed in this area as a carpenter. He owned and operated John’s Fine Carpentry. He enjoyed his travels to Guam, Thailand, Korea, and loved to ride snowmobiles in this area.

He is survived by a daughter, Samantha Johnson of Grafton; two sisters, Bonnie Lee Johnson of Springfield, VA and Linda Johnson of Grafton; 3 brothers, Derek Drewniak of Enfield, Michael LaLiberte of Grafton, and Ralph Johnson of CA. An aunt and an uncle.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Bonnie Lee Johnson, PO Box 2815, Merrifield, VA 22116.