Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Ellsworth Harry Bunnell COLEBROOK -- Ellsworth Harry Bunnell, 86, of Colebrook and St. Petersburg, Fla., died on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. He was born on August 15, 1917 in East Colebrook, the son of Harry and Ethel (Buffington) Bunnell. There were no calling hours. A celebration of his life for his family and friends will be held in the spring, with burial in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. A full obituary will appear in next week's Democrat. Michael J. Cannon Family Man LANCASTER -- Michael J. Cannon, 48, of Bunker Hill Street, died suddenly on Wednesday morning, Jan. 14, 2004 in Rumford, Maine. Mr. Cannon was born in Leonia, N. J. on June 29, 1955, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Widman) Cannon. Raised in Leonia he was a 1973 graduate of Leonia High School. He went on to earn a bachelor degree at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Penn. After a year of research work he was employed by Ondeo Nalco of Naperville, Ill. He was employed there for 25 years and then went into semi retirement to spend more time with family. He continued to work as a private consultant. Spending time at his log cabin at Maidstone Lake, Vt., and collecting pocket watches brought him great enjoyment. He will be remembered as a man with a big heart who loved his family and extended family along with friends and colleagues. He was a good husband and father and was well respected in his profession. Family members include his wife, Marianne (Woodward) Cannon of Lancaster; a daughter, Megan Cannon, age 13; a son, Ryan Cannon, age 11; his parents, Charles and Elizabeth Cannon of Palm Beach Shores, Fla.; four brothers, Stephen Cannon and wife Cindy of Washington Township, N.J., Timothy Cannon and wife Cindy of Larchmont, N.Y., Daniel Cannon and wife Mary of Spring Lake, N.J., and Matthew Cannon of Sterling, Va.; three sisters, Christine Gianonni and husband George of Granby, Conn., Patricia Dimmit and husband William of Harriman, N.Y., and Bridget Cannon of Spokane, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours were held on Friday, Jan. 16, at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 17, at All Saints Church, Lancaster. Reverend Raymond Ball, pastor, officiated. Burial will be held in the spring at Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations may be made in his memory to Colonel Town Recreation, 16 High Street, Lancaster, NH 03584 or to a charity of ones choice. Frank B. Currier Caretaker at Cat Bow Farm MOUNT DORA, Fla. -- Frank B. Currier, 90, of Mount Dora, died on Jan. 2, 2004, after a lengthy period of poor health. He was born in Groveton, N.H. on Mar. 20, 1913, to John and Jennie (Hill) Currier. He was a painter for many years, a dairy farmer, White Mountains Regional High School transportation supervisor and caretaker at the cat Bow Farm, all in Lancaster, N.H. Family members include his wife of 50 years, Virginia (Craigie) Currier; a sister, Hazel Savage and brother, Frederick Currier, both of Lancaster, N.H.; and 25 nieces and nephews. Frank’s three brothers and three sisters, Jean Martin of Tucson, Ariz., Madeline Johnson of Groveton, N.H., Helen Watkins of Groveton, N.H., Alfred Currier of Mt. Dora, Donald Currier of Lancaster, N.H., and Richard Currier of Groveton, N.H., all died previously. Family services and burial will be held at a later date in Groveton, N.H. Patricia A. Fecto Businesswoman, advocate BETHLEHEM -- Patricia (Patty) A. Fecto, 46, of Bethlehem, died on Monday, Jan. 12, 2004. She was born in Keene on Sept. 16, 1957, and spent her first years at Crotched Mountain. From the age of nine she was raised and cared for by Andrew and Shirley Hunt, now of Lancaster. She lived with the Hunts in Lisbon, Littleton, and Lancaster until moving to Bethlehem two years ago, where she shared a home with Charlene and Eugene Miles and Marie Perkins. Patty was an active businesswoman and community member. She was the founder and owner of PerFecto Business Services of Littleton, which she established in 1998. She was a member of the National Association of Persons in Supported Employment (APSE), and in July 2000 was the first recipient of the Wendy M. Wood Award for Emerging Leaders in Supported Employment. She subsequently received a commendation from then Governor Shaheen that, in part, reads that Patty “embodies the vision, effort, determination, and risk-taking tendencies of Wendy M. Wood…” Locally, Patty was a member of the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Gateway Chamber of Commerce, and WREN, which recognized her as a “woman of courage and vision in the area of business and economic development” at their Celebration of Women in 2001. In 2003 Patty was elected to sit on the Board of Directors of the N.H. Chapter of APSE. Patty was a presenter for the UNH Institute for Disability, and also made presentations for the New York State Self-Advocacy convention, and at a national convention for APSE. Patty will be remembered for her dry wit and ironic sense of humor. She taught those who knew her that anything is possible and that we must all support each other. Family members include her former foster parents, Andrew and Shirley Hunt of Lancaster; her housemates and friends, Eugene and Charlene Miles and Marie Perkins; and her many friends and business acquaintances. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Patricia Fecto Memorial Fund, c/o Common Ground, PO Box 599, Littleton, NH 03561. Proceeds of this fund will be used to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities in their endeavors to reach their dreams and goals. A memorial service and celebration of Patty’s life will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 at the First United Methodist Church in Littleton at 1 p.m. Bessie A. Furgerson Cooked at Howard’s Restaurant PITTSBURG -- Bessie A. Furgerson, 84, died on Monday, Jan. 12, 2004 at Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook. She was born on July 13, 1919 in Stewartstown, the daughter of William and Eva (Brown) Heath. Mrs. Furgerson attended school in Colebrook. She married Wilman Furgerson on Oct. 23, 1937. She was employed by Howard’s Restaurant in Colebrook, as a cook, for many years. Family members include her husband, Wilman Furgerson of Pittsburg; two sons, Leonard W. Furgerson of Enfield, Conn. and William E. Furgerson of Longwood, Fla.; two daughters, Pricilla Phillips of Dunbarton and Mrs. Tom (Barbara) Salpas of Palmetto, Fla.; one brother, John Owen of Stewartstown, and a sister, Althea Gray of Canaan, Vt.; 11 grandchildren;15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. There were no calling hours. A graveside service will be conducted in the spring at the Stewartstown Hollow Cemetery in Stewartstown. Donations in memory of Mrs. Bessie A. Furgerson may be sent to Home Health c/o Sharon Covill, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, RR 2 Box 13, Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Newman Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Aleta B. Hurlbutt Valedictorian, Class of 1939 GROVETON -- Aleta B. “Auntie Petie” (Cushing) Hurlbutt, 82, of Cottage Street, died on Jan. 16, 2004, at Weeks Memorial Hospital, Lancaster, after a lengthy illness. Born on June 8, 1921, in Groveton, she was a daughter of Guy W. and Minnie E. (Smith) Cushing. She was a lifelong resident of Groveton. She was valedictorian of Groveton High School, class of 1939. Mrs. Hurlbutt was a member of the Groveton United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women’s Club, the Grange and the Eastern Star. She was a volunteer at Weeks Memorial Hospital and Country Village Elder Care Center. Mrs. Hurlbutt was a reading tutor at Groveton Elementary School. She also taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She was an avid golfer. Before retiring in 1982, she worked for Groveton Post Office and Peoples National Bank for a short time and then for many years as a mill worker for Diamond International and James River Paper of Groveton. Family members include a daughter, Lorna Aldrich; a son, Brian Hurlbutt; two grandchildren, all of Groveton; many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Raymond D. Hurlbutt, died previously on July 21, 1995. Calling hours were held on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Main-Armstrong Funeral Home in Groveton. A funeral service was held on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Groveton United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Peter Parent, pastor officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Gail Singer Memorial Building, 360 State Route 101, Suite 501, Bedford, NH 03110-5032. To send the family condolences via the online register book, go to www.legacy.com. John Marshall Keir Scallop fisherman BRIDGTON, Me. -- John Marshall Keir, 53 of Bridgton, died on Jan. 12, 2004 at his Main Street residence following a long illness. He was born on Aug. 23, 1950 in Peterborough, N.H., the son of the late Richard Keir and Ruth (Arey) Keir and was educated in New Hampshire schools. John was an eight-year Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had also served in Korea. John was employed as a fisherman by trade and fished for scallops for many years and later worked in local boatyards. His love of the ocean was a big part of his life. Family members include his mother of Conway, N. H.; two children, Vikki Gagne of Albany, N. H. and Cory Keir of Cape Cod, Mass.; a sister, Marianne Carter of Florence, Mass.; two grandchildren, Garrett and Greysen Gagne of Albany, N. H.; and one niece and one nephew. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at the Park Street Cemetery in Whitefield, N.H. in the spring. Arrangements are by Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, Bridgton, Maine. Barbara Killam Community volunteer COLUMBIA -- Barbara (Taylor) Killam, 65, died on Jan. 11, 2004 after being struck by a car while walking along Route 3. She was born on Aug. 22, 1938 in Bloomfield, Vt., a daughter of Leroy and Cora (Smith) Taylor. Mrs. Killam was the town treasurer and school board treasurer. She volunteered at the local nursing home and cared for many elderly friends. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed walking. Her daily walks often found her keeping the roadside clean in front of her home. She loved to cook and often made pies and other items for area food sales, including refreshments for North Country Audubon Society, of which she was a member. Mrs. Killam will be remembered as a gentle spirit who always cared for others’ needs before her own. The family includes her husband of 34 years, David Killam of Columbia; a sister, Lorraine Keazer of Dover; and five nieces and nephews. Her stepfather, Edward Smith, died previously. A memorial service was conducted on Friday at North Stratford Baptist Church, with the Rev. Brendan Whittaker officiating. Memorial donations may be made to North Stratford Baptist Church, c/o Josephine Harding, Main Street, North Stratford, NH 03590. For more information, go to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. Virginia P. Merrow Lancaster School cook LANCASTER -- Virginia P. “Bea” Merrow, 78, of 10 Elm Street, died on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, at Weeks Medical Center Hospital, Lancaster. Mrs. Merrow was born in Waltham, Mass., on Apr. 26, 1925, a daughter of Walter and Mildred (Orton) Porter. Raised in Lincoln, Mass., she attended area schools there and was a 1943 graduate of Concord High School, Concord, Mass. Bea also attended Higgins Commercial Machines, a business school, from 1943-1944. From 1944 to 1946 she was employed as payroll clerk for Hathaway Bakeries in Waltham, Mass. On Oct. 27,1946 she married Roy E. Merrow and moved to his hometown of Lancaster. She was the manager of the Lancaster Elementary School cafeteria for 20 years, retiring in 1987. She also attended New Hampshire Technical College in Berlin. In 2002 she received the Mel Gallup Award for outstanding volunteer services. She had been a volunteer at Weeks Hospital since 1987. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Altar Guild, the American Food School Service, and the New Hampshire Food School Service. She was also a 60 year and lifetime member of the Lincoln Grange, Lincoln, Mass. Family members include her husband, Roy E. Merrow of Lancaster; a daughter, Marilyn Malasky and husband Michael of Newmarket; two sons, Walter Merrow and wife Donna of Barre, Vt., and Scott Merrow and wife Karen of Groveton; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn “Suzy” Meuwissen of N. Fort Meyers, Fla.; and nine nieces and nephews. At Bea’s request there will not be calling hours or services at this time. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Oncology Department at Weeks Medical Center Hospital, 173 Middle Street, Lancaster, NH 03584. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. Yvonne B. Othot Wife, mother, grandmother NASHUA -- Yvonne B. Othot, 88, of Haines St., Nashua died on Jan. 15, 2004, at her home after a lengthy illness. She was born in Berlin on Mar. 23, 1915, a daughter of the late Napoleon and Marie Anne (Gagne) Blanchette. She was the wife of Maurice Othot, who died in 1988. Mrs. Othot was a longtime resident of Nashua and was a communicant of Infant Jesus Church. She was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne, of the parish. Family members include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Rene Othot of Nashua, Richard and his wife Jane Othot, Michael and his wife Roberta Othot all of Hudson; one daughter, Terri Ponton of Nashua; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Henry and Yvette Blanchette of Berlin and Paul Blanchette of Barre, Vt.; and several nieces nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 17, at Infant Jesus Church. Burial will take place in St. Louis Cemetery. There were no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Home Health and Hospice, 22 Prospect St., Nashua, NH 03060. The Anctil-Rochette & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Christine C. Supry Found joy in family, outdoors MILAN -- Christine C. (Guerin) Supry, 64, of 349 West Milan Road, West Milan, died on Jan. 13, 2004 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Berlin on Sept. 22, 1939, a daughter of John and Ida (Lavoie) Guerin. Christine was educated in Berlin schools and had lived in Spain, Montana and Bangor, Me., and returned to the area, residing in Milan since 1968. She was a member of St. Kieran Church, now known as Good Shepherd Parish, and she was a member of the T.O.P.S. Club. Christine loved her family, the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and was an avid bingo player. The family includes a daughter, Denise Alonzo of Berlin; seven sons, Douglas Supry Jr. of Bismarck, N.D., Leo Supry, Donald Supry, Ronald Supry, Brad Supry and Brian Supry, all of Berlin, and Greg Supry of Milan; 20 grandchildren; five brothers, Raymond Guerin, Leo Guerin, Normand Guerin, Robert Guerin and Donald Guerin, all of Berlin; two sisters, Marie Bisson of Milan and Dolores Drouin of Berlin; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Her husband, Douglas Supry, died previously. Calling hours were held on Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Berlin. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Interment will be in St. Kieran Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Androscoggin Valley Hospital Respiratory or Pulmonary Departments, 59 Page Hill Road, Berlin, NH 03570. Grace P. Valentine Retired homemaker WHITEFIELD -- Grace P. Valentine, 85, died on Jan. 3, 2004 at Harrison House in Lancaster, Penn. She was born on May 18, 1918 in Lawrence, Mass., the daughter of Joseph and Grace (Fortin) Parent. Mrs. Valentine lived most of her life in Whitefield. She was a retired homemaker and a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Association in New Hampshire. The family includes four sons, Aubert “Skip” T. Valentine Jr. and Richard L. Valentine of Downington, Penn., Michael F. Valentine of Columbus, Oh., and Stephen M. Valentine of Bremerton, Wash.; four daughters, Graceanne Discenzo of Whitefield, Anita Allen and Jeanne Mussbaumer of West Chester, Penn., and Lori Geising of Bay Village, Oh.; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Aubert T. Valentine, died previously. A private funeral service was held on Jan. 17 at St. Mary’s Chapel in Exton, Penn. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth’s Building Fund, 941 Pottstown Pike, P.O. Box 695, Uwchlan, PA 19480.