Colebrook News & Sentinel Obituaries, Colebrook, New Hampshire, from Wednesday, August 25, 2004

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GORDON GRAY

     Gordon R. Gray, 83, died late on Friday, August 20, 2004 at his
Washington Street residence in West Stewartstown after a brief illness.
     He was born on October 28, 1920 in Canaan, the son of Leo and Mildred
(Richards) Gray. Mr. Gray attended school in Canaan and was a 1938 graduate
of Canaan High School. He was married to Addie Elliott on January 18, 1944.
     Mr. Gray attended the Franklin Technical Institute in Massachusetts,
and then went on to work for Pratt and Whitney Corporation in Connecticut.
His efforts at Pratt and Whitney lead to the development of several U.S.
patents.
     After a few years he moved back to Colebrook, where he was employed by
Nugent Motors as a mechanic. In the early 1950s he purchased his own garage
in Canaan, which he ran until the early 1970s. The garage was also the
local John Deere dealership. Mr. Gray designed and built a cover used to
protect skidder drivers, which was later adopted by the John Deere
Corporation. Mr. Gray enjoyed working and spending time with his dog.
     He is survived by two sons, Richard Gray of Bainbridge, N.Y., and
Donald Gray of Kittery, Maine; a daughter, Pat-ricia Grover of West
Stewarts-town; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a niece
and nephew. Mr. Gray was predeceased by his wife, Addie Gray; a son, Mahlon
Gray; three brothers, Raymond Marvin, Ernest Gray and Charles Gray.
     There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at 2
p.m. on Sunday, September 4 at Assumption Cemetery in Canaan.
     Memorial donations for Gordon R. Gray may be given to the American
Diabetes Association, PO Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131. Newman Funeral
Home of Colebrook has been entrusted with arrangements.

OPAL MERRILL

     Mrs. Opal A. (Ellingwood) Merrill, 80, of Colebrook, died late
Thursday evening, August 19, 2004 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
in Lebanon.
     Mrs. Merrill was born on September 4, 1923 in Groveton, daughter of
the late Edgar O. and Esther G. (Severy) Ellingwood.
     During World War II she worked as a welder in a shipyard in Maine,
contributing to the war effort. She later worked as a waitress and in
manufacturing, and after raising her family, she decided to go back to
school at the age of 48. Upon graduation, she went to work for Amica
Insurance Company, retiring after more than 20 years of service.
     During her retirement, she traveled throughout the United States. She
enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and loved caring for her cats. She
will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and
friend.
     Mrs. Merrill is survived by her two sons, Ron Cross and his wife Carol
of Bloomfield, and Dennis Cross and his wife Deborah of Pittsburg; her
brother, Ernest Ellingwood of Florida; two sisters, Gwen Cross of Island
Pond and June Rainville of Colebrook; three grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
     At Mrs. Merrill's request, calling hours will be private. A graveside
service was conducted on Sunday afternoon, August 22 at the Alice Hunt
Cemetery in Canaan, with Pastor Priscilla Hull officiating.
     Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Merrillšs memory may be made to the
Two Rivers Ride for Cancer Fund, c/o Rosemary Mulliken, First Colebrook
Bank, Main Street, Colebrook, NH 03576.
     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home
of Colebrook. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to
www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE FRED MICKELBORO

     A graveside service for Frederick "Teddy" Shelton Mickelboro, 49,
formerly of Manchester, who died on July 16, 2004 at Ridgewood Health-care
Center, will be held on Friday, August 27 in the Colebrook Village Cemetery
at 11 a.m. Mr. Mickelboro's service will be held in conjunction with that
of his mother, Irvena Williams, who preceded him in death on January 14.
     Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Mickelboro's memory may be made to the
American Cancer Society, 260 Route 101, Bedford, NH, 03310. Funeral
arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home of Colebrook.
Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to
www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net.

CLAYTON SMITH

     Mr. Clayton C. Smith, 42, of Hampstead, died on Tuesday, August 16,
2004 at his family's camp in Pittsburg.
     Mr. Smith was born on March 9, 1962 in Lawrence, Mass., son of
Lawrence R. and Sandra (Mckay) Smith.
     Mr. Smith was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting,
fishing, and taking long nature walks. He and his father and brother built
their dream camp in Pittsburg with the help of many of their friends. He
had great ability in carpentry and finish work and also mechanical and
electrical work.
     He shared in birthday memories with his son, Michael, both having been
born on March 9. He will be remembered for his love of family and friends,
including his parents' dog, Samantha. He will be sorely missed.
     Mr. Smith is survived by his son, Michael Smith of Sandown; his
parents, Lawrence R. and Sandra Smith of Hampstead; a brother, Allen Smith
and his fiancee Linda Hancock of Derry; a sister, Kathleen Brewer and her
husband David of Londonderry; and a nephew, Jess Brewer.
     Family members will receive friends on Friday, August 27 from 5 to
8:30 p.m., with a memorial service at 8:30 p.m. at the Brookside Chapel and
Funeral Home in Plaistow.
     The family has not designated a charitable organization. Local funeral
arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home of Colebrook.
Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to
www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE IRVENA WILLIAMS

     A graveside service for Irvena L. (Grover) Williams, 70, of
Manchester, who died on January 14, 2004, will be held on Friday, August 27
in the Colebrook Village Cemetery at 11 a.m. Mrs. Williams' service will be
held in conjunction with that of her son, Frederick Mickelboro, who died on
July 16.
     Local arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home of
Colebrook. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to
www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net.