Author: Canaan Town Library

Robert D. “Bob” Grant

From the July 2, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

W. Canaan, NH–Robert D. “Bob” Grant, 63, died Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at his home in West Canaan following a long illness. He was born in Hanover, NH, November 18, 1937. He grew up in Bridgewater, VT and graduated from Woodstock (VT) High School in 1957. He had been a resident of W. Canaan for the last 34 years. Bob had been a truck driver for Twin State Fruit for many years and had also served as a bus driver for the Mascoma School District for 10 years. He was a member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks for 34 years; was a member of the VT National Grange; had been a State of NH Deputy Forest Fire Warden for several years; was the representative from the Canaan Fire Dept. to the Upper Valley Mutual Aid Association for several years; and had been a member of the Canaan Volunteer Fire Dept. for 22 years, retiring as a First Lieutenant in February 2001. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He leaves his wife of 36 years, Pauline (Bellavance) Grant of West Canaan, NH, whom he married June 5, 1965; his mother: Ramona Welch of Wilder, VT; his foster-mother: Pearl Townsend of Bridgewater Corners, VT; a son: Douglas P. Grant of Lebanon, NH; a daughter: Rebecca C. Jones of Canaan, NH; a foster-son: Fred Cummings of Canaan, NH; several brothers and sisters; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his foster-father: Paul Townsend.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Friday evening from 6-9. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday morning at 10 am at the Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery with a reception in the church hall following the services.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: The Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT and NH (VNA/VNH), 20 S. Main St., White River Jct., VT 05001 or to: Hospice of the Upper Valley, 325 Mt. Support Rd., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Eunice F. Walker

From the August 6, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Eunice F. Walker, 76, died Monday July 30, 2001 at the Alice Peck Day Extended Care Facility in Lebanon, NH following a long illness. She was born in North Wilmot, NH January 6, 1925, a daughter of the late Warren V. and Marie(LaJoie) Sargent. She grew up in Wilmot where she was the janitor for the 7th and 8th grades of her elementary school. She graduated from Andover High School in 1943. In 1945 she was married to her husband of 52 years David W. Walker who died in 1998. They made their home in Enfield Center where Eunice was a member of the Union Church, and a member and longtime secretary of the Mont Calm Grange. She was also a member of the NH State Grange and the National Grange. She was a correspondent for 25 years for two local newspapers covering Enfield Center and later Enfield. In her earlier years she loved fishing, farming, and her gardening. She also did volunteer work by crocheting and knitting baby hats, therapy balls, robes and mittens for hospitals, nursing homes and schools, and enjoyed making toys for the Shriners.

She was predeceased by her husband, four brothers, and one sister. She leaves a son: William W. Walker of Claremont, NH; a brother, Alfred Sargent of FL; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

There were no calling hours. Funeral services were held Thursday morning at 11 am in the Ricker Funeral Home on 56 School St. in Lebanon, NH. Burial followed in the Mascoma Cemetery on Rte 4 in E. Lebanon.

Memorial contributions in the memory of Eunice may be made to the Enfield Fire Dept., or the Alice Peck Day Extended Care Facility in Lebanon.

Dylan Wayne Joyce

From the July 30, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Claremont, NH–Dylan Wayne Joyce, 23 month-old son of Mia Joyce & Danny Sullivan, died Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at the Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont. He was born in Lebanon, NH August 20, 1999. Formerly of Canaan, NH he had been living in Claremont for the last 8 months with his mother and her friend Matthew Fontaine, and his maternal grandmother Melody Joyce. Dylan enjoyed playing with his trucks and cars, and loved dancing and swimming.

He is survived by his mother: Mia Joyce and her friend Matthew Fontaine of Claremont, NH who loved and helped raise Dylan; his maternal grandmother: Melody Joyce of Claremont, NH; his maternal grandfather: Darryl Joyce of Grafton, NH; his paternal grandparents: Cathy & Frank Sullivan of Claremont, NH; his maternal great-grandparents: Jennie & Wesley Joyce of Grafton, NH; his paternal great-grandparents: Ann & Frank Sullivan of Reading, MA; and several aunts and uncles including Shanon Downing of Claremont, NH who also helped raise Dylan.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH on Friday afternoon at 1 pm. Funeral services followed at 2 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial was in Wells Cemetery in Canaan, NH.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions go towards a memorial monument be made to: “The Dylan Wayne Joyce Memorial Fund,” c/o any branch of Mascoma Savings Bank.

Frances B. “Frank” Moeschen

From the July 16, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Frances B. “Frank” Moeschen, 97, founder of the Moeschen Club for Boys in New York City and Camp Mascoma – a private boys camp on Crystal Lake in Enfield, passed away Tuesday evening July 10, 2001 at the Integrated Health Services nursing facility in Derry, NH. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen (Carney) Moeschen, and the father of Peter Moeschen of Enfield, NH and Long Beach, NY. He is also survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by a son, Timothy Moeschen, two brothers-George and Ray Moeschen, and a sister-Helen Cockburn.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon, NH

William A. LaFountain

From the August 6, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–William A. LaFountain, 90, died Saturday, July 28, 2001 at the Veterans Hospital in White River Jct., VT following a brief illness. He was born in Chicopee Falls, MA on October 13, 1910, a son of the late Albert & Sophie (Murk) LaFountain, and as a young boy had lived on his father’s freighter. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and served as a canoneer with the 172nd Field Artillery. A resident of Enfield, NH since 1930, he had worked as an auto mechanic for several years and was the owner/operator of Bill’s Tidol Station. He later went into the carpentry business. He was known as a man who never said “no” to anyone, and would do anything for anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Mr. LaFountain was a member of the Elks for over 30 years. He was married June 1, 1983 to Marion L. (Smith) at St. Helena’s Church in Enfield. Mrs. LaFountain died October 19, 1993.

He was predeceased by his wife, two sisters-Sylvia LaFountain and Laura LaFountain, and a brother, Francis LaFountain. Mr. LaFountain leaves several nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home on Rte 4 in Enfield on Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 am in St. Helena’s Church in Enfield with the Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield, NH.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Mr. LaFountain may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Barbara M. Christ

From the August 13, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Harrison, AR–Barbara M. Christ, 50, died suddenly at her home in Harrison, AR on July 30, 2001.

She was born May 19, 1951 in Manchester, NH, daughter of Margaret (Connoly) and Robert G. Bressett. She was educated in the Manchester schools and graduated from St. Anselm’s College with a B.S. RN.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps becoming an anesthesiologist and was assigned to duty in Germany where she met her husband, Paul Christ.

After their retirement in 2000 they relocated to Arkansas.

Survivors include her husband, parents, sister, Ann Nistler of Sartell, MN and a niece and nephew.

Interment will be in Arkansas at later date.

Frank M. Quimby

From the May 1, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Graveside Committal Services for Frank Marshall Quimby, who died March 3, 2000 at the age of 75, will be held Friday May 5 at 2 pm in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield, NH. The Rev. William Wittik will officiate. The Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Robert P. Coutermarsh

From the May 8, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Robert P. Coutermarsh, 84, died Saturday morning, May 6, 2000, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. He was born in Lebanon, NH, on July 11, 1915, one of 11 children born to Peter & Etta (Brooke) Coutermarsh. He attended Sacred Heart School in Lebanon and was a graduate of Lebanon High School, Class of 1934. He was married November 25, 1927 to his wife of 62 years, Valma (Basset).Lifelong area residents, they also wintered in Florida for 20 years. Mr. Coutermarsh had been employed by G.W. Carter for 27 years until 1960. He later worked for Trumbull-Nelson, retiring in 1972 as a shop foreman. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon and enjoyed working outdoors.

He is survived by: Valma Coutermarsh, wife, of Enfield, NH; Betty Daigle and Donna Roberts, daughters, of West Lebanon, NH; 5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by: Peter Coutermarsh, father; Etta Coutermarsh, mother; Edward Coutermarsh, brother; Lester Coutermarsh, brother; Ralph Coutermarsh, brother; Herman Coutermarsh, brother; Blanche Coutermarsh, sister; Yvonne Coutermarsh, sister; Hattie Hickory, sister; Edith Babcock, sister; Mildred Reynolds, sister; and Edna Monroe, sister and twin to Edward Coutermarsh.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St. in Lebanon, NH, on Monday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning at 11 am in the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

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.

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.