Canaan Town Library – Page 25 – Canaan, NH History

Elmer Richard Sweeney

from the October 18, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Elmer Richard Sweeney, 70, died Wednesday, October 11, 1995 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. He was born in Stratford, NH, May 5, 1925, the son of the late Ralph & Rightie Sweeney and had been a longtime resident of the Upper Valley. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of The Korean Conflict. He had been employed by the Dorr Woolen Mills in Newport, NH; the Buildings and Grounds Dept. of Dartmouth College; and Diamond Janitorial of Quechee, VT. He was a former member of the American Legion of Canaan, NH. Mr. Sweeney loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was married to Dorothy (Eastman) who died Oct. 10, 1993.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at the funeral home with the Rev. Lorene Eldredge officiating. Burial followed in the Northumberland Cemetery in Groveton, NH. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Sweeney may be made to: The Kidney Foundation of NH, 1 Tremont St., Concord, NH 03301.

Survivors include: a son, Kevin P. Sweeney of Enfield; a son, Brian A. Sweeney of West Canaan; a step-daughter, Betty McKinney of Enfield; a step-daughter Barbara Miller of Canaan; a step-son, David Kilton of LA; a step-son, “Jimmy” Kilton of TX; a friend, Sherry Emery of Enfield; a daughter-in-law, Allison Sweeney of West Canaan; a grandson; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

William Henry Braley Jr.

from the October 18, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–William Henry Braley Jr., 91, died October 8, 1995 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. The son of the late William Henry Braley Sr. and Esterbelle Braley, he was born March 28, 1904 in Antrim, NH. He attended Claremont schools and had been a resident of Canaan since 1947. He was married to Dorothy Doris Hardy on Oct. 26, 1935. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary later this month. He had been employed as a carpenter for many years at Trumbull-Nelson in Hanover, retiring from there in 1969. He worked in this area on his own until fully retiring in 1979. He enjoyed fishing and dancing. He served Boy Scout Troop 319 in Canaan as an assistant Scout Master for several years.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield from 7-9 on Wednesday evening. Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with burial following in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

Survivors include: his wife, Dorothy Doris Braley of Canaan; a son, Charles William Braley of Honduras; a son, Herbert James Braley of Newport; a daughter, Elizabeth Martha Kilton of Lebanon; a daughter, Arlene Grace Tingley of Plymouth; a daughter, Wilma Jean Drew of Bow, NH; a daughter, Colleen Diana Braley of Sunderland, MA; a son, Erwin Henry Braley of Canaan; a son, William Wayne Braley of Fayetteville, NC; a sister, Grace Goff of West Canaan; 29 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Belle Drew who died in 1962.

Edward Joseph Dauphinais

from the October 18, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Edward Joseph Dauphinais, 81, died Oct. 10, 1995 at McKerley Healthcare Center in Lebanon, NH The son of the late William and Rosalie (Bedard) Dauphinais, he was born on April 18, 1914 in Fitchburg, MA. Prior to bis retiremnet he had been employed by K & D Manufacturing in Lebanon as a tool maker. He was a member of St. Helena Parish in Enfield and the Mascoma Grange for many years. Ed had many interests including hunting & fishing, farming, making maple syrup, attending blueberry fields, cooking, and playing his fiddle.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, on Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.am. at the St. Helena’s Church in Enfield. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lebanon. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions were to be made to the Enfield Fast Squad.

Survivors include: a sister, Emma Blais of Laconia; a sister, Lena Dauphinais of Laconia; a sister, Theresa Lozeau of Enfield; a sister, Regina Dauphinais of Cheshire, CT; a brother, Arthur Dauphinais of Laconia; a brother, Wilfred Dauphinais of Enfield; many nieces and nephews.

Margaret A. Whittier

from the October 11, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Margaret A. Whittier, 77, died Saturday September 30,1995 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a long illness. She was born in Lebanon, NH May 21, 1918, the daughter of Felix and Florence (Painchaud) Gerin. She attended Lebanon schools and had been an area resident all of her life. She was a former resident of West Lebanon, Canaan, Enfield, and most recently McKerley Healthcare Center in Lebanon. She had been employed by the Enfield Police Dept., Split Ballbearing, and the Dewey Mills. She was a member of the Mt. Calm Grange for iver 61 years.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Tuesday evening from7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christain Burial was celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in St. Helena’s Church in Enfield. Burial followed in the Mt. Calm Cemetery in Enfield Center, NH.

Survivors include: a half-sister, Mary Cook of Claremont; a half-sister, Hazel Montano of Ascutney, VT; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick H. Whittier on August 27, 1979 and a brother, Stanton Doiron.

Frank J. Gauthier

from the October 11, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Frank J. Gauthier, 85, died Thursday, October 5, 1995 at the Mt. Ascutney Nursing Home in Windsor, VT. He was born in Lebanon, NH on November 26, 1909, the son of the late Frank & Rose (Dessert) Gauthier. He was a lifelong area resident and was educated in the local schools. For many years he was employed as a truck driver for Decato Bros. and Green Mountain Lumber. He had also driven a school bus in West Canaan for several years. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He was married to Marcia (Parker) in Glastonbury, CT on August 29, 1940.

Survivors include: his wife, Martha (Parker) Gauthier, of Windsor, VT; daughters June Nott of Quechee, VT and Jean Pillsbury of Enfield, NH; brothers Raymond and Louis Gauthier of Lebanon; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by: sisters Marie Fountain and Eva Bonneville and brother Henry Gauthier.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Helena’s Church in Enfield and burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lebanon. Ricker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Leo K. KIlton

from the October 11, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Meriden, NH– Leo K. Kilton, 87, died Friday morning Oct. 6, 1995 at the Veterans Hospital in White River Jct., VT. He was born in Springfield, NH April 9, 1908, the son of the late James L. & Ines (Robie) Kilton. A longtime resident of the Upper Valley, he was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. For many years he worked as a carpenter in the area. Following his retirement he worked as a caretaker for the Meriden cemeteries. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and most recently working in his garage making picture frames and Adirondack Furniture.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home , 56 School St in Lebanon on Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. John M. Gregory-Davis officiating. Burial followed in the Moulton Cemetery in Meriden.

Survivors include: his wife, Augusta (Pushee) Kilton of Meriden; a step-son, Gary Smardon of NC; a step-daughter, Pauline Bailey of East Hartford, CT; a brother, Raymond James Kilton of Canaan; a brother, John “Roger” Kilton of Canaan; a brother, Burns Lyle Kilton of Enfield; a sister, Marion Ines Bocash of Enfield; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by: a step-daughter, Claire Downing; a step-daughter, Barbara Carlisle; a brother, Harland Markas Kilton; a sister, Mary Eva Buzzell.

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

Gerard Joseph Dessert

from the September 27, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Gerard Joseph Dessert, 35, died Sunday morning, Sept. 17, 1995 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Woodsville, NH April 29, 1960, the son of Maurice & Barbara (Follansbee) Dessert. He attended schools in Lebanon, and was a graduate of Mascoma Valley Regional High School–Class of 1979. A lifelong area resident, he had been employed by Split Ballbearing for several years, and later worked for the City of Lebanon for many years.

Gerard enjoyed the outdoors, and loved camping, hiking, car rides in the mountains, and raising his own livestock.

He enjoyed spending time with his daughters and was an avid fan and spectator of their sports activities. Family and friends will remember his wonderful sense of humor.

He was married to Doreen (Pollard) who died in 1987.

He married Robin E. (Wolfe) March 10, 1988.

Friends called at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in memory of Gerard may be made to: The American Cancer Society, c/o Lisa Wentworth, 8 Davis Dr., Lebanon, NH 03766-1017 or to: The American Diabetes Association, 104 Middle St., Manchester, NH 03101.

Survivors include: his wife, Robin E. (Wolfe) Dessert of Enfield; his parents, Maurice and Barbara Dessert of Enfield; a daughter Emily Dessert of Enfield; a daughter, Megan Dessert of Enfield; a sister, April Masserene of San Diego, CA; a sister, Alete Sinclair of Broken Arrow, OK; a sister, Cecelia Dessert of Brattleboro, VT; a sister Elise Harttmann of Milford, PA; a brother, Gui Dessert of White, GA; a brother, Everett Dessert of Woodstock, GA; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Doreen (Pollard) Dessert.

Lawrence A.. Thompson

from the September 20, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Lawrence A. Thompson, 73, died Wednesday morning, Sept. 13, 1995 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a long illness. He was born in Woodstock, VT, Dec. 6, 1921, the son of the late Arlo A. & Ethel K. (Harris) Thompson, and attended Woodstock schools. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He had been employed for many years by the T.B.I. Corp (Wholesale Grover) of Manchester, NH. He was a longtime resident of Enfield, NH where he enjoyed outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, gardening and was an avid Red Sox fan. Mr. Thompson was a member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks BPOE #2099.

He was married April 15, 1967 to the former Beverly Murphy.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Friday morning from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services were conducted in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Burial will be at a later date in the Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock, VT.

Survivors include; his wife, Beverly (Murphy) Thompson of Enfield; a son, William L. Thompson of Enfield; a son, Lawrence A. Thompson, Jr. of Holyoke, MA; a daughter, Lorraine Jarvis of Coventry, VT; three grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alma Townsend Clark

from the August 23, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Alma Townsend Clark, 77, of Lebanon, NH, died gently on August 1, 1995, at her summer home in Charlotte, VT.

Mrs. Clark, a lifelong resident of Lebanon, NH, was born there on January 13, 1918, in the home of her parents, Philip Nelson Townsend and Mabelle Peabody Townsend.

She was a graduate of Lebanon High School and of Northampton Business College in Northampton, MA. She and her husband, Arthur J. Clark, owned and operated the Honey Gardens Dairy and the Honey Gardens Health Food Store of Lebanon, NH. She and her husband, Arthur, supported the Hanover and Upper Valley Food Co-ops and the Learning School of Norwich, VT.

Mrs. Clark’s many interests include astronomy, bird watching, landscaping with wild plants, exploring country roads, and playing classical, popular, improvisational, and ragtime piano, and traveling. She enjoyed the theater, concerts, lectures, recitals, films, foreign movies, public and informational television, short-wave radio, and music, especially opera.

Mrs. Clark was an amateur photographer and a member of the Photographic Society of America. For many years a snapshot she took of her young son in a hat looking out a truck’s window was displayed in various sizes on a poster outside the Camera Shop on Allen St.

She was interested in health and nutrition, which she studied and put into practice. She worked out regularly on the Nautilus machines at Carter-Witherell, and a photograph of her husband can be seen on a current brochure.

She enjoyed bicycling, sometimes cycling 10 miles or more to a family or friend’s house, usually before breakfast. She took figure skating lessons at the Skating Club at Dartmouth along with her school-age children. She started roller skating when she was 60, took freestyle lessons. Patrons of Al’s Casino will remember her as the lithe white-haired woman in a bright skating dress. Mrs. Clark also liked to hike, walk, and go cross-country skiing. She loved nature and being outdoors.

Mrs. Clark’s broad reading ranged from a wide variety of magazines, classics, best sellers, to how-to books, and Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time.”

Mrs. Clark was an avid student of Russian history, literature, and language. Mrs. Clark traveled to Russia twice.

All kinds of weather delighted her. She would note and point out to her children such things as the different cloud patterns, how the rain sometimes fell from clouds in sheets, and if it was raining on one of the car and not the other. She would join her children in collecting hail stones, never scolded them for running around in the rain, and even put a big 40-quart milk can under a downspout from the eves so they could take turns standing in it. Sometimes in the winter she flooded the back yard or the field to make skating rinks. She loved to breathe the air before a storm. When there was a thunderstorm she would throw aside the curtains and stand ecstatically at the window watching the storm and inviting her family to join her.

She is survived by Arthur, her husband of 53 years; six children: Judi Chatman of Dover, NH; Jean Clark Townsend of Canaan, NH; Richard A. Clark of Lebanon, NH; Philip G. Clark of Lebanon, NH; Sidney C. Clark of Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Suzanne V. Clark of Hanover, NH; by two brothers: Ira Townsend of Meriden, NH; and A. Storrs Townsend of Lebanon, NH; by an aunt: Irene Robinson of Cape Cod, MA; five grandchildren; two step grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; a niece; a nephew; cousins; and other relatives, including the Townsends of Storrs Hill in Lebanon, NH.

A memorial service was held in Lebanon, NH.

Alton P. Wolfson

from the August 16, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Alton P. Wolfson, 79, died Monday, August 7, 1995 at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH. He was born in Canaan, NH Sept. 27, 1915, the son of the late Carl H. & Lillian (Jewell) Wolfson, and was a lifelong Canaan resident. He married Grace (Butman) of Canaan, Feb. 5, 1936. He had worked for several years for the H.J. Sevigny Lumber Co. in Lebanon, NH and was later employed by the E. Cummings Leather Co. in Lebanon for 33 years until their closing in 1980.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Ricker Funeral Home on Route 4 in Enfield. Pastor Philip Anderson officiated. Friends called one hour prior to the services and burial followed in the Canaan Street Cemetery. The family requested that in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Canaan F.A.S.T. Squad, Canaan, NH.

Survivors include: his wife, Grace (Butman) Wolfson of Canaan; a son, Roland Wolfson of Enfield; a son, Frank Wolfson of Bridgeport, CT; a sister, Avis Donahue of Quechee, VT; a sister, Bernice Shuttleworth of Littleton, NH; a granddaughter, Christina Eggleston of Dorchester; a granddaughter Cassandra Wolfson of West Lebanon; a great-grandchild, Nicholas Eggleston of Dorchester; one niece and nephew plus several grand nieces and nephews.