Canaan – Page 8 – Canaan, NH History

Rosalind Helena MacDonald

Canaan, NH–Rosalind Helena MacDonald, 78, died Tuesday, October 15, 1996 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Holderness, NH, February 26, 1918, the daughter of the late Herman & Georgia (Tibbetts) Baker. She came to Canaan, NH one year ago from the Bristol, NH area where she had been employed by the International Packing Corp. for 20 years retiring in 1975. Mrs. MacDonald was a member of the Bristol Baptist Church. The greatest joy in her life was her grandchildren.

There were no calling hours. A memorial service was held on Friday a 2 p.m. at the Holderness Baptist Church. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon.

Survivors include: a son, Ronald Baker of Salem, CT; a son, William MacDonald of Canaan; a daughter, Loraine Normandie of Canaan; a brother, Leslie Baker of Plymouth, NH; a sister, Carolyn Calley of Holderness, NH; a sister, Barbara Orbon of Miami, FL; a sister, Beverly Smith of Holderness, NH; a sister, Marylee Dumas of Randolph, VT; a sister, Norma Jean Baker of West Lebanon, NH; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.

Ruth Ann Hill

from the January 4, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Ruth Ann Hill, 35, died December 28, 1994 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a long illness. She was born in Chicopee Falls, MA October 27, 1959, the daughter of Richard W. Poland and Kay (Merrill) Dunham. She was a lifelong resident of Enfield, NH and attended Mascoma Valley Regional High School. She was married to Roy Longley Jr. for 10 years and in October of 1994 she married William E. Hill of Canaan. Her greatest loves were her children, her family, and motorcycles.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home on Route 4 in Enfield on Saturday afrernoon from 2-3 p.m. Funeral services were conducted at the funeral home at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Lorene Eldredge officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

Memorial contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Survivors include: her husband, William Hill of Canaan; her father & step-mother, Richard E. & Myra (Anderson) Poland of Windsor, VT; her mother & step-father, Kay (Merrill) & David Dunham of Enfield; Hazel Poland of Enfield; two daughters, Robyn and Magen of West Canaan; a son, Roy F, Longley III of West Canaan; three sisters, Debra Blanchard of Woodstock, VT, Jennifer Dunham of Enfield, Dawn Poland of Wilder, VT; five brothers, Glenn Poland of Grafton; Scott Poland of Ascutney, Mark Poland of West Canaan; Ian Poland of Windsor and Steven Landon of White River Jct., VT plus many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Zepheryn G. Clarke

from the January 11, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Zepheryn G. Clarke, 86, of Canaan, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995, in Plymouth, NH following a long illness.

Mrs. Clarke was born April 25, 1908, in Canaan, VT, daughter of Joseph and Cornelia (Valentine) Gamache and was a graduate of Canaan (VT) High School. In 1927, she graduated from the Plymouth Normal School.

Mrs. Clarke taught elementary school in Bristol, NH, Colebrook, NH, and Canaan, NH, until 1938, when she married Frank Clarke. In 1943, she returned to teaching in Canaan, NH.

Between 1948 and 1962, Mrs. Clarke worked with her husband in his insurance business, following which she returned to Canaan Elementary School, where she taught until her retirement in 1973.

Mrs. Clarke served on the Canaan Budget committee and was the town treasurer from 1979 to 1980. She was also a member of the Indian River Grange and the Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. Clarke taught piano for many years and was the organist and choir director for the United Methodist Church from 1942 to 1984. She was a member of the church for more than 50 years and very active in church activities. Mrs. Clarke served for five years as president of the United Methodist Women and as trustee for two separate terms.

Survivors include a grandson, Christopher A. Dunn of Canaan, NH; a sister, Pauline Ramsey of Florida; and three great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Clarke was predeceased by her husband in 1973, and her daughter, Susan Clarke Dunn, in 1974.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield Thursday evening between 7 and 9 p.m. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Canaan United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lorene Eldredge, pastor, officiating. A reception followed the service in the Methodist Church vestry. Burial will be in the spring at Wells Cemetery in Canaan.

Roy S. Braley

from the February 8, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Roy S. Braley, 85, died Monday morning January 30, 1995, at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH. H was born in Claremont, NH November 6, 1909, the son of the late Israel S. and Mabel (Vadney) Braley. He was a self-employed truck driver in the logging industry for many years. He was also caretaker for an estate in Cornish, NH for several years prior to his retirement in 1974. His great love was his children and family. He had a great appreciation of nature and loved fishing, hunting, gardening, birds and beekeeping.

He was married to Mildred E. (Clark) Braley who died February 22, 1991. Friends called at he Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Graveside services will be held in the spring in the West Canaan Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Lung Association, 456 Beech St., P.O. Box 1014, Manchester, NH 03105-1014.

Survivors include: a stepdaughter, Lily Jackson of Greensboro, NC; a daughter, Mabel Fellows of Enfield; a son, Kenneth J. Braley of Enfield; a son, Dale R. Braley of West Canaan; a son, Chester A. Braley of West Canaan; many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

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

William H. “Bill” Withington

from the March 1, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–William H. “Bill” Withington, 87, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1995 at the Brookside Nursing Home in White River Jct., VT. He was born in Canaan, NH March 10, 1907, the son of the late Herbert F. & Julia (Stevens) Withington. He was a lifelong Canaan resident and attended local schools. He was employed by Baltic Woolen Mills in Enfield, NH for many years and later worked for Split Ballbearing in Lebanon.

He was married to Jennie “Elizabeth” (Emerson) who died June 18, 1987.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. Services were conducted at the funeral home on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The Rev. Lorene Eldredge officiated. Burial will be in the spring in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan, NH. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Withington may be made to the Canaan F.A.S.T. Squad, Canaan, NH 03741.

Survivors include: a daughter, Catherine Clark of Stoughton, MA; a brother, Robert Withington of Canaan; a grandaughter, Vicki McDade of Stoughton, MA; a granddaughter, Kim Clark of Somerville, MA; a greatgrandchild, Peter McDade of Stoughton, MA; his close friend, Lena Tucker; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements were by the Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon.

Ernest Burnham Smith

from the May 31, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Ernest Burnham Smith, 70, of Canaan, NH passed away on May 23, 1995 at Lary Pond in Canaan, NH. He lived in Canaan most of his life and attended Canaan schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army serving during World War II in the European Theater. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the Central Europe Campaign. In 1947 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard serving until April of 1950. He was married to Anne Magoon Sept. 3, 1947. Mr. Smith was employed in the law enforcement from 1964 until his retirement in 1979. He served the Town of Windsor as a police officer for 3 years. He later became a police officer for the Town of Canaan and in 1970 was elected to the Chief of Police. He served as Chief of Police until retiring in 1979. He was a member of the Canaan American Legion, a former member of the Windsor, VT Masonic Lodge, a member of Social-Summit Lodge F. & A.M. of Canaan, a 32 degree member of the NH Scottish Rite Bodies, the Canaan Lions Club, the Cardigan Mtn. Fish & Game Club and Co-Chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Canaan. He served as a Boy Scout leader in Canaan for several years and was a member of the Canaan Assembly of God Church. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield last Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. and the funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Canaan Assembly of God Church with Pastor Philip Anderson officiating. Burial was at a private ceremony in Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton.

Survivors include: his wife, Anne Smith of Canaan; his mother, Agnes Smith of Lebanon; a son, Walter Smith of Windsor, VT; a son, Allen Smith of Fallston, MD; a daughter, Diane Chisholm of Allenstown, NH; a brother, Earl “Bucky” Smith of Canaan; a brother, George Smith of Canaan; a sister, Elsie Wilson of Canaan; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Smith; a sister, Dorothy McLaughlin; a sister, Fannie Hill; and a sister, Emma Chase.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 309 Pine St., Manchester, NH 03103 or to the Mascoma Area Senior Center, Indian Ridge Grange Hall, Rte 4, Canaan, NH 03741

Ricker Funeral Home of Enfield was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Rupprecht

from the July 12, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Joseph Rupprecht, 88, died July 4, 1995 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center as a result of injuries received after being hit by a car. The son of Joseph and Anna (Yougengle) Rupprecht, he was born June 21, 1907 in Hamburg, Germany. He came to the United States from Germany at the age of five. He lived in Averill Park, NY for many years where he attended school. He also lived in Vermont for many years and later settled in Grantham, NH. Most recently he lived in Canaan. He was married to Alma C. McKeon who died in 1974. He was a self-employed farmer for many years and also was employed in the Dietary Department at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital where he retired from atabout 20 years ago.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. and a mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Church in Canaan. Burial followed in the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon. In lieu of flowers the family requested that memorial contributions be made to the Canaan Meals on Wheels Program, c/o Mascoma Senior Center, PO Box 210, Canaan, NH 03741.

Survivors include: his daughter, Theresa Webb of Niskayuna, NY; a sister, Sister Catherine Bede of Schenectady, NY; a sister, Dorothy Ezrow of NY; a sister, Virginia Fitzgerald of NY; grandsons, Allan, Bruce and Scott Webb; several nieces and nephews.

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

Theresa Brodeur

from the July 12, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Theresa Brodeur, 67, died Friday evening July 7, 1995 at the McKerley Health Care Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Ramford, MA on Nov. 7, 1927 and had lived in RI, MA, Daytona Beach, FL and the Upper Valley, residing at McKerley Healthcare for the last 4 years. She had been employed as a housekeeper at the Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan for several years. Theresa loved fishing, clamming, and tending her flower gardens of gladiolas.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service was held Monday morning at Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, NH.

Survivors include: sons, Richard of Shamont, NY and Paul of Dayton Beach, FL; daughters, Shirley Rocke, of Enfield, NH and Sandy Woodward of West Canaan, NH; a sister, Josie Bettencourt, of West Warwick, RI, 8 grandchildren, 2 nieces and 2 nephews.

Ricker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Gail Helen Dunkerton

from the July 19, 1995 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Gail Helen Dunkerton, 54, died July 10, 1995 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a long battle with crippling arthritis. She was born in Canaan, NH Feb. 16, 1941, the daughter of Frank E. & Natalie (Marr) Lounsbury. She was a lifelong Canaan resident born and raised on a dairy farm and educated in Canaan schools. She had been employed by Split Ballbearing of Lebanon, NH, and had attended the Canaan United Methodist Church.

Friends and family called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Canaan United Methodist Church, burial followed in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan in Canaan with the Rev. Lorene Eldredge officiating.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to “Let the Children Speak” ( a non-profit foundation established in memory of Gail to benefit the children of Canaan, NH) c/o Mascoma Savings Bank, PO Box 333, Canaan, NH 03741.

Survivors include: her mother, Natalie Lounsbury of Canaan; a son, Don Dunkerton of Canaan; a sister, Phyllis Berg of Tewksbury, MA; two grandchildren, a nephew and several cousins.

Harry L. Tucker

from the July 20, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH – Harry L. Tucker, 71, died unexpectedly at his home in Canaan, NH Tuesday, July 12, 1994. He was born in Canaan, NH Sept. 6, 1922, the son of the late Leon B. & Clara A. (Decato) Tucker. A lifelong Canaan resident he attended Canaan schools and was a graduate of Canaan High School.

Mr. Tucker was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII having served in the European Theatre and was the recipient of the Bronze Star.

He married Ruth (Callanan) Aug. 6, 1949. For 20 years he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service. He was a member of the Weld-Webster Post #55 of the American Legion, and was a life member of the White River Jct., VT VFW.

He had a lifetime interest in baseball and was an umpire for 10 years in softball in his winter home of West Palm Beach, FL.

Funeral services were be held in the Canaan United Methodist Church. Burial followed in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

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

Survivors include:

Wife, Ruth (Callanan) Tucker, Canaan, NH 03741

Daughter, Patricia Sanborn, Indianapolis, IN

Daughter, Martha Merton, Hilliard, OH

Sister, Lena Tucker, Canaan, NH

Brother, Albert Tucker, ?, NY

2 Grandsons,

1 Nephew & several cousins,

Proceeded in death by:

Father, Leon B. Tucker, Mother, Clara A. Decato

Arrangements By: Ricker Funeral Home