Category: Uncategorized

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.

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.

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.

James Andrew Mellow

From the February 12, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grantham, NH–James Andrew Mellow, 10, died Saturday, February 3, 2001 at his home surrounded by his family following a long illness. He was born in Hanover, NH, September 22, 1990, the son of Andrew J. & Susan (Rowland) Mellow. James was a 4th grade student at the Grantham Village School, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon, NH. He loved golf, skiing, kneeboarding, basketball, baseball and soccer. He also loved to read books and to be read to. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his sisters Meagan & Erin.

He leaves his parents: Andrew J. & Susan (Rowlan) Mellow and 2 sisters: Meagan M. Mellow and Erin F. Mellow; his maternal grandparents; Joan & Howard Suizek of Berlin, MD; his paternal grandmother; Betty Larkin of Southwick, MA.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH, Tuesday evening from 6-9 pm. The family respectfully requests that children not attend.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 pm in the Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. The Rev. Gilles Genest M.S. will officiate.

The family requests the in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: The Make a Wish Foundation, 66 Hanover St.-Suite 101, Manchester, NH 03101-2230.

Leslie Paul Mansur

From the April 9, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Leslie Paul Mansur, 73, of Canaan died on Wednesday at the Veterans Administrative Hospital in White River Jct. He was born in Lawrence, MA on October, 29, 1927 a son of John & Agnes (Rugh) Mansur. He attended schools in Bristol, NH and had been a resident of Canaan most of his life. He was a US Army Veteran of WWII. Prior to retirement he had been employed for many years with the State of New Hampshire as a bridge repairman. He was a member of the Foreign Wars in White River Jct., the American Legion in Canaan and served on the Town Budget Committee and was currently serving on the Planning Board. He also served the town of Canaan as a Volunteer Firefighter for over 20 years retiring as a Captain. Mr. Mansur was a State of New Hampshire Forest Fire Warden. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trips to his family’s camp in Errol, auto racing, watching his grandsons play baseball and was an avid Mascoma Royals fan. He had also worked as a volunteer at the Canaan Speedway Racetrack and the Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, VT.

He is survived by two children, Duane W. Mansur of Canaan and Kathie P. Towery of Canaan. Two grandsons, Leslie Paul Mansur and Keith Allen Mansur. A great-granddaughter, Raleigh May Mansur, a brother, Arthur J. Mansur, Sr. of Methuen, MA and a sister, Peggy Woodward of MA, plus many nieces and nephews.

Parents called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Sunday evening from 5-7 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the St. Mary’s Church in Canaan on Monday at 11:00 am with the Rev. Paul Rainville, M.S. officiating. Burial will be later in the spring.

Lettie E. Barbour

From the March 20, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Lettie Barbour, died in the Mt. Ascutney Hospital on March 1. She was born on August 5, 1915 in West Canaan. She was the daughter of Truman and Lottie (Austin) Clark. She attended schools in West Canaan and Canaan. Also attended Wilfred Academy of Cosmetology in Boston, MA.

She married Harold Barbour on August 27, 1948 in Grace Chapel on Goose Pond Rd. They lived their married life in Hartland, VT. She volunteered helping with church and fire dept. suppers.

She was a member of the Darn It Woman’s Club, Emblem Club, and American Legion Auxiliary.

She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and playing bingo. Many tiny hats were knitted by her for premature babies.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1986 also, John, Theodore, Horace, Raymond, Elwin, Clayton and Calvin – her seven brothers. Three sisters; Gertrude, Rena and Arleen..

She is survived by her sister Gladys Chesser of Morriston, FL and Grace Reney of Enfield. And many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service was conducted at the Congregational Church in Hartland on March 6 by Rev. Robert Moyer. Donations may be made in her memory to the Hartland Memorial Library, for Children’s Books, PO Box 137, Hartland, VT 05048.

Eva M. Paquette

From the March 20, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Eva M. Paquette, 85, died Thursday March 16, 2000 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Rochester, VT on April 28, 1914, a daughter of the late Dennis and Ella (Asbury) Murphy. An Enfield resident for most of her life, she was a communicant of St. Helena’s Parish. She was married to Joseph T. Paquette, Sr., who died Feb. 5, 1978. For many years she was employed by the Baltic Woolen Mills in Enfield, and later in the housekeeping dept. of Dartmouth College in Hanover. She enjoyed crocheting and had made many intricately designed doilies.

Friends were able to call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH on Sunday evening. Funeral services will be conducted Monday morning at 10 am in the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Lakeview Cemetery in Enfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Lebanon Senior Citizens Center, 10 Campbell St., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Predeceased by : Joseph T. Paquette, Sr., husband; Dennis Murphy, father; Ella (Asbury) Murphy, mother; Richard Paquette, son; Dora Ryan, daughter; Dan Murphy, brother; Dennis Murphy, brother.

Survived by: Joseph Paquette, Jr., son, Claremont, NH; Betty Chase, daughter, Enfield, NH; Joyce Peck, daughter, Paris, CA; Lillian Dickerson, sister, Barre, VT; 13 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elizabeth L. Orcutt

From the March 20, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Hanover, NH–Elizabeth (Betty) Orcutt died March 4, 2000 after a long and satisfying life. She was in her 90th year.

Betty came to Hanover in 1932 from Berlin, NH, after studying elementary education at Keene Normal School.

She married her husband Stan in 1935 and had a son, William S. Orcutt of Manchester, NH; and a daughter, Sally Page of Hanover, NH; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Betty taught first grade in Hanover for 42 years and touched the lives of well over 1200 children. She was particularly renowned for easing out those first loose teeth of her students.

Betty was a lifelong lover of the ocean and became known as “Betty Beach” by her friends in Ogunquit, ME where she and Stan spent their summers.

A memorial service will be held for Betty at St. Thomas Church, Wheelock St., Hanover, NH on Saturday March 25th at 2 pm.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT and NH, Old Court House, Main St., White River Junction, VT 05001.

Florence A. Garnhum

From the April 16, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Florence A. Garnhum, 80, died Tuesday morning April 20, 2001 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Enfield Center, NH December 8, 1920, a daughter of the late Harry L. & Bertha M. (Lewis) Bailey. A lifelong resident of Enfield Center she was a longtime member of the Earnest Workers Club, and enjoyed plants, flowers, knitting and art. She was married in May 1941 to Charles W. Garnhum who died April 29, 1980.

She was predeceased by her husband and a brother, Oscar Bailey.

Survivors include three daughters: Diane White and Jean Williams, both of Enfield Center, and Deborah Truman of Grafton. One son, Scott Garnhum of Kokomo, IN. A sister, Dorothy Emerson of Enfield Center. Seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four nieces.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home. Rte 4 in Enfield, Friday evening from 7-9 pm. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 pm in the funeral home with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Montcalm Cemetery in Enfield Cemetery.

The family suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: The Enfield Center Fire Dept., Enfield Center, NH 03749.

Francis J. Bushee

From the April 16, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Francis J. Bushee, 84, died Friday April 6, 2001 at the Brookside Nursing Home in White Rive Jct., VT following a long illness. He was born in Boston, MA June 11, 1916, a son of the late John & Celia (Callan) Bushee and moved to Lebanon, NH that same year. In November 1940 he joined Co.G. 172nd Infantry of the National Guard in Windsor, VT which became federalized in 1941. He stayed with Co.G. for the duration of WWII being stationed at Camp Blanding, FL; Camp Shelby, MS; Camp Perry and Fort Ord, CA; and three years of service in the South Pacific. He received a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and other citations. He was discharged in August 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He worked for 28 years as a mail clerk at the Veterans Administration in White River Jct., VT. Following his retirement he worked for five years as a Lebanon Police Crossing Guard on Hanover Street in Lebanon…a job he thoroughly enjoyed.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion of White River Jct., VT, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Hartford, VT Elks.

Survivors include his wife: Ruth (Dion) Bushee of Lebanon, NH whom he married in 1949; one daughter, Francine Lozeau of Enfield, NH; one son, Stephen Bushee of Wayland, MA; two sisters, Dorothy Andrews of Lebanon, NH and Margaret Germain of Leicester, MA; four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Bushee in 1978.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm at the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon. Burial will be at a later date in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to establish a scholarship fund at Lebanon High School and Mascoma Valley Regional High School be made to: The Francis J. Bushee Memorial Fund, c/o Mascoma Savings Bank, PO Box 435, Lebanon, NH 03766.