Author: Canaan Town Library

Patrick Robert Foley

From the August 23, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Patrick Robert Foley, 31, died Thursday August 19, 1999 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a battle with Leukemia. He was born in Hanover, NH July 29,1968, the son of W. Robert & Nancy (Hopkins) Foley. A lifelong resident of Enfield, Patrick was a graduate of Mascoma Valley Regional High School where he was Valedictorian of the Class of 1986; was a Presidential Scholar; Governor’s Scholar; and a member of the National Honor Society. He was a graduate of Drew University in Madison, NJ, Class of 1990. He became a Research Intern for the Town of Enfield, and had worked in the Baker Library from 1990-1997 at the reserve desk. In 1997 he became the Assistant Librarian for Hypertherm. Patrick was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of The Arrow; a member of the Community Lutheran Church of Enfield; and was a Treasurer of the Upper Valley Single Volunteers. He was very much a people person and will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home-Rte 4 in Enfield, Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Funeral services were held Monday morning at 10 am in the Community Lutheran Church of Enfield. The Rev. John Crilley officiated. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

At Patrick’s own request, flowers were omitted. Memorial contributions in memory of Patrick may be made to: The Patrick R. Foley Scholarship Fund, c/o Lake Sunapee Bank, Heater Rd, Lebanon, NH 03766 or To: Community Lutheran Church, Main Street, Enfield, NH 03748.

Survivors include:

Father, W. Robert Foley, Enfield; Mother, Nancy (Hopkins) Foley, Enfield; Brother, Major Michael J. Foley, USMC, Denver, CO; Sister, Maureen “Moe” Foley, Hanover, NH; Many aunts and uncles, 2 nieces.

Theodore Wesley Edmands

From the August 23, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Theodore Wesley Edmands, 70, died Friday, August 20, 1999 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a lengthy illness. He was born in Melrose, MA Oct. 28, 1928, a son of Edward W. Edmunds Jr. and Helen M. Cook of Wakefield, MA. He was educated in Wakefield public schools and in 1951 moved to Los Angeles and received a B.S. Degree in engineering. He was employed at Douglas Aircraft for 9 years and Northrup Corp. for 30 years retiring to Tarpon Springs, FL in 1990 where he spent the winter months. For the last 3 years he has been a resident of Lebanon and Canaan during the summer.

There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 11am in the Canaan United Methodist Church with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Glen Cemetery in Wakefield, MA Thursday morning at 11am with the Rev. Richard Wisenback officiating.

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

Survivors include:

Sister, Mrs. Nancy Allen, Canaan, NH

Niece, Bonnie McAlister, Canaan, NH

Niece, Barbara McAlister, Canaan, NH

Nephew, William Allen, Potomac, MT

Nephew, Bruce Allen, Lebanon, NH

Nephew, David Allen, Canaan, NH

Nephew, Daniel Allen, Canaan, NH

Nephew, Robert Allen, Canaan, NH

Nephew, Roy Allen, Canaan, NH

18 Great nieces and nephews

3 Great great nephews

Barbara May Peters

From the August 23, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Hartford, VT–Barbara May Peters, 50, died Tuesday, August 17, 1999, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

She was born Nov. 21, 1948, in Hanover; a daughter of Lester S. and Alice M. (Martin) Grant, and grew up in Hartford, VT, where she graduated from high school.

She worked in the Medical Records Dept. at Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover for several years, and on Feb. 10, 1973, in Norwich, was married to Murrel R. “Pete” Peters.

They lived a few years in the Upper Valley, then lived for 12 years in Georgia. Upon returning to Hartford, Mrs. Peters worked at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Survivors include her husband of Hartford Village; a son, Marc S. Peters of Wilder; a grandson, Jonathan; her parents of Lebanon; two brothers, Paul Grant of Lebanon and Daniel Grant of Enfield; a sister Patricia G. Clough of Vernon, VT; and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara was a very selfless person and loved helping others whenever she could. She enjoyed her family, and especially her very first grandchild, Jonathan, who was the light of her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756

Albert T. LaCroix, Sr.

From the August 16, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Albert T. LaCroix, Sr., 86, died Friday August 13, 1999 at the Brookside Nursing Home in Wilder, VT, following a long illness. He was born in St. Germaine, Quebec, Canada, on June 18, 1913, the son of the late Zephyre & Leontine (Bellavance) LaCroix. He was a longtime resident of Lebanon, NH. For several years, he was employed as a cook at Kimball Union Academy and at area restaurants, including Ponzi’s. The Brick Hearth, and others. He was also a driver for LaCroix’s Taxi. Albert was a member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks, and was a communicant of the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St in Lebanon, on Friday, August 27th from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, August 28th at 10:00 am in the Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. Burial will follow in the Valley Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Albert’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.

Survivors include: Sons: Albert T. LaCroix, Jr., of Canaan, NH and Donald LaCroix, of North Hampton, NH. Daughter, Mary Ann Lane, of Goffstown, NH. Brothers: Didance LaCroix, of Enfield, NH; Antonio “Tony” LaCroix, of Lebanon, NH and Ferdinand LaCroix, of Littleton, NH. Grandsons: Thomas LaCroix, of Canaan, NH and Jeffrey Lane, of Arizona, and Granddaughter, Christine Piscopo, of Canaan, NH; 2 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille (Blanchard) LaCroix, who died Sept. 18, 1992.

Sophronia M. Thibodeau

From the August 9, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Sophronia M. Thibodeau, 93, died Wednesday August 4, 1999 at the Cedar Hill Nursing Home in Windsor, VT. She was (Upton) Santy. She grew up in Lyman and Lisbon, NH and attended local schools. She was a resident of Canaan, NH from 1945-1965 then moving to Lebanon, NH. She had been a resident of Cedar Hill for the last 10 years. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved to sing and dance, and spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will follow in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Sacred Heart Memorial Fund, PO Box 482, Lebanon, NH 03766 or to: The Norris Cotton Cancer Center, DHMC, One Medical Ctr. Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756.

Survivors include:

Son, Alphonse Thibodeau, Lebanon, NH

Son, Richard Thibodeau, Lebanon, NH

Son, Marcel Thibodeau, Lebanon, NH

Son, George Thibodeau, Lebanon, NH

Daughter, Margaret Clark, Louisiana

Daughter, Loretta Smith, Lebanon, NH

Daughter, Charlotte Jenkins, Lebanon, NH

Daughter, Theresa Rowell, Hartland, VT

Daughter, Sylvia Brown, Lebanon, NH

Daughter, Mary Jane Lemere, Lebanon, NH

Daughter, Joyce Sensenig, Enfield Center, NH

Daughter, Janette Curtis, Enfield, NH

62 Grandchildren

Many great-grandchildren

Many nieces, nephews, cousins

Preceded in death by:

Husband, Edward J. Thibodeau, Died: 1964

Son, Edward A. Thibodeau, Died: 1996

3 Sisters & 4 Brothers.

Yvonne Stella Blain

From the August 2, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Yvonne Stella Blain, 97, died Wednesday, July 28,1999 at the Alice Peck Day Extended Care Facility in Lebanon, NH.

She was born in Canaan, NH, April 1, 1902, the daughter of the late Samuel & Eugena (Patrie) Dupuis and had been an area resident all her life.

She was married to Wilfred F. Blain on Oct. 22, 1922. Mr. Blain died May 2, 1984. Much of her life was devoted to life on the farm raising her 7 children. She was a member of St. Helena’s Church of Enfield; the Grange; and the Senior Citizens Center.

There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

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

Survivors include:

Son, Wilfred A. Blain, Enfield, NH

Son, Richard A. Blain, Enfiield, NH

Son, John A. Blain, Canaan, NH

Son, Francis A. Blain, Melbourne, FL

Daughter, Eugena Hall, Enfield, NH

Daughter, Yvonne Wescott, Las Cruces, NM

16 grandchildren

Many great-grandchildren

Preceded in death by;

Father, Samuel Dupuis

Mother, Eugena (Patrie) Dupuis

Husband, Wilfred F. Blain, Died: May 2, 1984

Daughter, Florence Selby

Brother, George Dupuis

Sister, Hazel Bilodeau

Frederick Bryson

From the July 26, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Frederick Bryson, 83, of Canaan, died July 23, 1999, at his home, after a period of illness. He was born in Ireland on September 9, 1915, and came to the United States with his mother when he was only 6 years old.

He was a veteran of World War II. After discharge from the service, he and his wife moved to Tampa, FL. They spent 54 years together. The last 50 years were spent in Canaan, NH where he was a dairy farmer until his retirement in 1978. He served the Town of Canaan for 7 years and served 2 terms on the MVRHS School Board.

He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Ellan of Canaan; one son, Frederick Jr. of Canaan, and five daughters-Patricia Bryson, Colleen Johnston and Linda LaBelle, all of Canaan, Sue Ellan Kolives of Keene, and Beverly Gibbs of Hartwood, VA. Also Nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Bryson home on Grist Mill Hill Rd., at 1:00 on Tuesday, July 27.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Canaan F.A.S.T. Squad, c/o Linda Lashua, Rte. 4, Canaan, NH 03741.

Blynn Davidson Merrill

From the July 19, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Blynn Davidson Merrill, 72, died Saturday at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

He was born June 21, 1927, in New Gloucester, Maine, a son of Henry T. Merrill and Ina C. Haskell. He grew up in New Gloucester and attended Shaker Society School. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a bachelor’s degree in forestry.

Mr. Merrill served in the Merchant Marine and was a forester for the state of Maine for 10 years. A licensed forester and surveyor in New Hampshire and Maine, he held a real estate license in New Hampshire, Vermont and Florida. He also was licensed as a septic designer in New Hampshire.

Mr. Merrill worked for Wagner Woodlands and Davis & Symonds Lumber Co., and was a partner in Moseley-Merrill Reality of Hanover before founding Granite Northland Associates in Canaan in 1971, a company he owned until 1995.

From 1971-1975, he helped bring new businesses to the Upper Valley. He enjoyed working in his professions and collecting tools. A member of Cumberland Lodge No. 12 F. & A.M. in New Gloucester for more than 40 years, he was a member of Social Summit Lodge F. & A.M. in Canaan, the National Realtor Association, Canaan Lions Club, United Methodist Church in Canaan, and the Society of American Foresters. He had served on the Canaan Planning Board.

Survivors include his wife, Frieda Merrill of Canaan; three daughters, Carlisse Clough of Springfield, Doreen Wyman of Grafton and Elaine White of Strafford; four stepdaughters, Susan Huppe of Auburn, ME, and Bonnie Lumb, Mona Vachon and Sharon Bell, all of Lewiston, ME; a stepson, Gregg Fickett of Little Rock, AR. A sister, Elizabeth Berry of New Gloucester; two brothers, True Merrill of Newport and Henry Merrill of Phoenix, AZ; 19 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at United Methodist Church in Canaan, with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial is in the Lowe Gloucester Cemetery in New Gloucester, with the Rev. Nick Davis officiating. Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Canaan Senior Center Community Dinner and Food Pantry Program, Church St., Canaan, NH 03741.

Florence M. Selby

From the June 7, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Roxbury, NH–Florence M. Selby, 73, of Roxbury, NH died May 28,1999 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH.

She was born in Dorchester, NH on Nov. 8, 1925, and the daughter of Wilfred and Yvonne (Dupris) Blain. She attended school in Canaan and Enfield and graduated from Enfield High School in 1944. She moved to Keene around 1956 and also lived in Melbourne, FL. She moved to Roxbury about 12 years ago.

Survivors include her mother Yvonne Blain of Lebanon. A son, Robert Selby of Keene; a daughter, Carol Carmier of Roxbury; four brothers, Wilfred Blain, Richard Blain, John Blain all of Enfield, NH and Francis Blain of Melbourne; two sisters, Euginia Hall of Enfield and Yvonne Wescott of Las Cruces, NM; four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted at St. Mary Cemetery in Claremont at the convenience of the family. The Fletcher Funeral Home in Keene is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Everett Estes Sr.

From the May 31, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Raymond Everett Estes Sr., 72, died Monday morning May 24, 1999 at the Hanover Terrace Healthcare Center in Hanover, NH. He was born in Lebanon, NH on October 19, 1926, the son of the late Everett A. & Grace E. (Bassett) Estes. He was a graduate of Lebanon High School, and was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. A lifelong Upper Valley resident he had been a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) at the Veterans Hospital in White River Jct., VT for over 36 years. He later was employed by the Lebanon Key Shop for several years, and also enjoyed rock collecting. He was married in White River Jct., VT on Sept. 1, 1948 to Dorothy Edna (Carter) who died July 14, 1993.

There will be no calling hours. Graveside Committal Services will be held Thursday morning at 11am at the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon, NH with the Rev. John Crilley officiating.

The Ricker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include:

Son, Raymonf E. Estes Jr., Canaan, NH

Grandson, Raymond E. Estes III, Canaan, NH

1 nephew

Preceded in death by:

Wife, Dorothy E. Estes, Died: 1993

Sister, Edith Chesley, Died: 1998