Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Copyright of the newspaper.  Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives
was received.

Ellsworth Harry Bunnell
Musician, historian

     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.
     Mr. Bunnell was raised in Columbia. He was a self-taught man,
professional florist, professional pianist from the age of 15, world
traveler, author, noted local historian and lecturer. His ancestral roots
can be traced back to two well-known families: one great-great grandmother
was a cousin to the famous L. L. Bean and a great-great-great grandmother
was a niece to Ethan Allen.
     He was the owner of the Blossom Shop prior to his retirement. He was a
musician at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, having celebrated his 49th
anniversary at The Balsams in the summer of 2003. He was an organist for
the Monadnock Congregational Church for 40 years. His trio, The El Bunnell
Trio, was a highlight on weekends at the Colebrook House for many years.
     Mr. Bunnell was co-chairman of the Colebrook Bicentennial celebration
in 1970, having written a book for the bicentennial called “Even Unto This
Valley.” He also published in 1999 “Our Family History,” tracing his family
back to 1066. He assisted with the histories of Colebrook, Columbia and
West Stewartstown, to name a few. He was also published in New Hampshire
Profiles, Northern New Hampshire Magazine and Yankee Magazine. His
memberships included the Colebrook Historical Society and the North Country
Chamber of Commerce.
     The family includes two nephews, Norman Crawford of Waterford, Conn.,
and Harry Crawford of Louisville, Ky.; two nieces, Linda Crawford of
Colebrook and Ruskin, Fla., and Evelyn Greco of Hurricane, Ut; three
half-nephews, Jim Unfonak, Gerry Grant and Don Grant, all of New Hampshire;
two half-nieces, Mona Stewart of Colebrook, Jeanne Berry of Canaan, Vt.;
his cousin, Earl Bunnell of Canaan, Vt.; and numerous cousins in Maine; 11
grandnieces and nephews; and 15 great-grandnieces and nephews. His parents,
a sister, Geraldine Crawford of Groveton, a half-sister, Aurilla Unfonak of
Colebrook and a nephew, Sherwood Crawford died previously.
     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.
     Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Bunnell’s memory may be made to the E.
H. Bunnell Scholarship Fund, c/o Colebrook Academy, Colebrook, NH 03576.
     Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to
www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net or to Norman Crawford, 22 Quarry Road,
Waterford, CT 06385.

Francis Champa

Had camp in Jefferson

     CONCORD -- Francis "Papa" Champa, 69, died on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004 at
the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association Hospice House in Concord
after a nine-year battle with both prostate cancer and a brain tumor.
     He was born in Boston, Mass., the son of William and Josephine
(Vardaro) Champa. He graduated from Stoneham (Mass.) High School and
Bentley College. He served in the National Guard in Massachusetts.
     Mr. Champa worked as a data processing manager for the state
Department of Administrative Services. He was a member of Immaculate Heart
of Mary Church in Concord. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus
Council No. 112 in Concord and Plausawa Valley Country Club. He loved
spending time at his camp in Jefferson, golfing, following the New England
Patriots, dancing and doing projects around the house.
     Through his illness, he helped establish a standard of care for PSA
testing for men in New Hampshire. He also volunteered for experimental
treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in the hopes of helping others in
the future.
     Family members include his wife of 20 years, Helen (Bruzga) Champa of
Pembroke; three sons, Christopher Scott of Canterbury, James Champa of
Swampscott, Mass., and Steven Champa of Gainsville, Ga.; three daughters,
Shannon Desilets of Pembroke, Susan Champa Klier of Swampscott, Mass., and
Christine Champa of Derry; six grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
     His brother, Joseph Champa, died previously in 2001.
     Calling hours were held on Jan. 21, at Bennett Funeral Home, Concord.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Concord. Burial will be held in the spring
at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Allenstown.
     Memorial donations may be made to the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse
Association, Hospice House, PO Box 1797, Concord 03302-1797; or to the
Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston 02115.

Robert E. Day

Father, grandfather

     BRISTOL -- Robert E. Day, 74, of North Main Street, died on Monday,
Jan. 19, 2004 at Speare Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness.
     He was born in Newport, Vt., the son of Maurice G. and Myrtle M.
(Colburn) Day. He grew up in Whitefield and following graduation he
enlisted in the Air Force where he served for three years. After leaving
the service he returned to Whitefield. He was a graduate of the New
Hampshire Police Academy, class of 1968, and he worked for the Lancaster
Police Department before accepting the Police Chief position for the town
of Bristol. After retiring from the Bristol Police Department he worked for
the state of New Hampshire as a manager for the liquor stores in Bristol,
Ashland, and Concord.
     Mr. Day remained active with the affairs of the town of Bristol,
serving as one of the first Police Commissioners and later as a Bail
Commissioner for Plymouth District Court.
     Mr. Day enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Road
Runners and a charter member of the Bears Booster Club.
     His greatest love was his children and his grandchildren. He delighted
in being a part of their lives.
     Family members include his wife of 54 years, Elsie (Tedesco) Day of
Bristol; five daughters, B. Lynn Colburn of Bristol, Denise Ann Drake of
New Hampton, Karen Lee Day-Covert of Alexandria, Patti Jo Page of
Northfield, and Vicki Ellen Moore of Plymouth; one son, Maurice Gilbert Day
II of Lancaster; 14 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one sister
Shirley E. Hayes of Leesburg, Fla.; a brother, Kenneth Day of Sterling,
Mass.; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
     Services-Memorial calling hours were held on Saturday, Jan. 24, from
1-3 p.m. at the Emmons Funeral Home, Bristol. Interment will be held later
in Park Street Cemetery, Whitefield.

Susan Boothman Hawkins

Artist, teacher

     LOST NATION -- Susan Boothman Hawkins, 53, of Lost Nation, died
quietly at home on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004 with her husband Chris at her
side. Her death ended a long consuming fight with multiple myeloma.
     Susan was a daughter of the late John H. Boothman Jr. and Gwen Shorey
Boothman of Randolph. She leaves behind her husband Christopher of Lost
Nation, daughter Rebecca Witham of Concord, sons Matthew Macrae-Hawkins of
Boston, Mass. and Jeremiah Macrae-Hawkins of Lost Nation, sisters Rebecca
Parker and Sara Glines of Randolph, nieces, nephews, grand nephews and a
wide circle of devoted friends.
     Susan was born in Berlin on March 3, 1950, into a family deeply rooted
in the mountain community of Randolph. Susan spent her youth working
summers at the family hotel, the Mount Crescent House, while attending
Peacham Academy in Peacham, Vt. A lover of God’s creatures, gifted artist
and avid gardener, Susan furthered her talents, earning a master’s degree
in art education at the University of New Hampshire. Her teaching and
writing career focused on the history of New Hampshire and its people, with
Susan teaching all levels from college to kindergarten, with emphasis on
the elementary years. Children throughout New Hampshire benefited from
Susan’s infectious love and devotion to the art of teaching.
     Passionate about history, family and friends, Susan represented New
Hampshire at the 35th Annual Folklife Festival at the Smithsonian Institute
and later the Celebrate New Hampshire Festival. While serving as a trustee
of the New Hampshire Historical Society, she assisted with development of
an elementary teaching curriculum. Other publications included, Heritage, a
North Country Sourcebook, a resource for area elementary teachers.
Combining her family’s legacy and keen interest in history, she co-authored
Among the White Hills, the life and times of Guy Shorey, a detailed
pictorial and biographical history of her grandfather’s photographic work.
     The essence of Susan’s life was her friends; they always came first.
Family and friends are invited to gather to remember this remarkable woman
on Feb. 1at the Gorham Congregational Church beginning at 2 p.m., followed
by a celebration of her life at the church hall.
     In keeping with Susan’s dream, she asks that instead of flowers,
donations be made to establish the Randolph Historical Society. They may be
sent to the Randolph Foundation, P.O. Box 283, Gorham, NH 03581.

Mark J. Hickey

Division manager for PSNH

     GORHAM -- Mark J. Hickey, 73, registered professional engineer of
Gorham and Zephyrhills, Fla., died on Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 at Hernando
Pasco Hospice in Dade City, Fla.
     He was born in Berlin on July 4, 1930, a son of Mark J. and Cecile
(Routhier) Hickey, and was the eldest of five children.
     Mark was a graduate of St. Patrick School in 1944 and Berlin High
School in 1948. He was a veteran of five years in the Navy, serving three
tours of duty in Korea as crewmember of the USS Rochester CA 124 and
earning the Korean Service Ribbon with seven stars. On June 19, 1954 Mark
married Adeline Arsenault of Berlin and together they raised two children.
     He was a former division manager for Public Service Company in both
Lancaster and Laconia. He started his career in Dover. Upon graduating from
UNH with a BSEE in 1957, Mark worked for 30 years in many supervisory and
management positions throughout the PSNH Electric Systems, including
Lancaster, Pittsfield, Rochester, Newmarket, Nashua and the Laconia area.
     Mark was active in many religious and civic activities, was a member
of the Knights of Columbus Bradley Council in Lancaster, and a Fourth
Degree Member of Bradley Assembly of Groveton. He was a eucharistic
minister and lector in both Holy Family Church in Gorham and St. Joseph
Parish in Zephyrhills, Fla.
     Mark was past president of Weeks Memorial Hospital board of trustees
in Lancaster, past president of Lancaster Industries, past president of the
Rochester Rotary Club and the Tri County Electrical Association of
Portsmouth. He was a member of the American Legion, a life member of the
D.A.V., a life member of the VFW Post #3041 of Lancaster and the USS
Rochester Association, and a member of the Androscoggin Valley Country Club
in Gorham.
     The family includes his wife, Adeline R. Hickey of Gorham and
Zephyrhills, Fla.; two sons, Timothy Mark Hickey and wife Susan of Eliot,
Me. and Brian Keith Hickey and wife Patti of Littleton, Colo.; three
grandchildren, Tyler Hickey and Ashley Hickey of Eliot, Me. and Ethan
Hickey of Littleton, Colo.; two brothers, Herbert Hickey and wife Florence
of Somerset, N.J. and Paul Hickey and wife Anita of City Island, N.Y.; two
sisters, Joanne Walsh of Berlin and Martha Campbell and husband Larry of
Hayward, Calif.; aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
     A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 6 at 11
a.m. at Holy Family Church in Gorham. Interment will be in the Holy Family
Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.
     Anyone who wishes may make donations in Mark’s memory to the American
Cancer Society to be directed specifically for Prostate Cancer Research.
     The Bryant Funeral Home in Gorham is in charge of arrangements.

Doris Dupont Hodgdon
Worked at Kent Nursing Home

     WHITEFIELD -- Doris Dupont Hodgdon, 85, died on Saturday evening, Jan.
24,
     2004, at the Morrison Nursing Home, Whitefield, where she has been a
resident since 1989.
     Mrs. Hodgdon was born in Scotstown, Quebec, on November 15, 1918, a
daughter of Wilfred and Rosalie (Croteau) Couture.
     Raised in Berlin, she married her first husband Gerard A. Dupont Sr.
and the later moved to Lunenburg, Vt., where they resided for many years.
She was employed through the years at Connors & Hoffman, Littleton, the
Kent Nursing Home, Lancaster, and Lancaster Footware. For a time she also
resided in Twin Mountain and Lancaster. Gerard died previously in 1979.
     Family members include two sons, Lucien Dupont and Gerard Dupont, both
of Lunenburg; two daughters, Rita Dupont and Melanie McLain, both of
Lunenburg; a sister, Rita Houle of Berlin; eight grandchildren; 12
great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Her second
husband, George Hodgdon and two sons, Raymond Dupont and Emile Dupont also
died previously.
     A visiting hour will be held on Wednesday morning Jan. 28, from 9:30
to 10:30 a.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A Mass of Christian
Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church, Lancaster. Burial will
be held in the spring in Calvary Cemetery, Lancaster.

Paul W. Lunnie
Awarded the Bronze Star

     GILMAN, Vt. -- Paul Weston Lunnie, 80, of Jefferson Ave., died at his
home on Friday morning Jan. 23, 2004.
     Mr. Lunnie was born on April 7, 1923, the son of Harold W. and Ruth
(Crowell) Lunnie in Concord. He was graduated from Concord High School in
1941.
     In WWII he served in the First Infantry Division in the European
Theatre and was present at the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of the Bulge,
Ardennes and the Rhineland. He was awarded the European African Middle
Eastern Theater Campaign ribbon with Bronze Service Arrowhead and the
Bronze Star.
     On Oct. 16, 1948, he married Beverly Folsom of East Concord. He
enjoyed a long career with the H.P. Hood Company and retired on June 20,
1983 as District Sales Manager and Ice Cream Product Manager from the
Boston, Mass. headquarters. During that time he was working for the company
in Concord, N.H., residing there at times during his career.
     After his retirement he returned to Vermont and settled in Gilman. He
was involved in his community and served as a Lunenburg Selectman and as
Chaplain of the John W. Weeks VFW Post 3041, Lancaster, N.H.
     He was an active member of the Society of the First Infantry Division,
the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, the Folsom Family Association, and the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association. He was a 58-year member of the Moose River Masonic
Lodge #82, Concord.
     An avid outdoorsman, Paul loved to hunt and fish and was especially
fond of spending time at the old family property at Royalston Corner in
Concord.
     His Journal for the 3rd Battalion 26th infantry, First Infantry
Division from Nov. 1, 1942 through June 2, 1945 with John D. Stromer, was
recently published by Don Marbys historical Text Archive.
     Family members include his wife of 55 years, Beverly of Gilman; two
sons and their wives, David Lunnie and Star of Concord, Daniel Lunnie and
Laurie of Lebanon, Me.; grandchildren, Robert Lunnie of Minot, N.D.,
Maureen Lunnie and Kelley Lunnie both of Lebanon, Me., Douglas Lunnie of
Brighton, Mass.; a great grandson, Nicholas Lunnie of Minot, N.D.; two
sisters, Frances Morehouse and Priscilla Southworth both of Concord, N.H.;
a brother-in-law, Richard Willey of Barre; a special niece, Beth Ann Willey
of E. Barre; and several other nieces and nephews.
     Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 4-7 p.m. from at
the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster, N.H. A Masonic service was held during
visiting hours at 6:30 p.m.
     A funeral service will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the
Gilman Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Gerry Piper, Pastor,
and longtime family friend Pastor Ron Loncar or East Haven. A reception
will follow in the church hall. Burial with military honors will be held in
the spring in Concord Village Cemetery, Concord.
     Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Gilman Rescue, PO Box
132, Gilman, VT 05906 or The Lancaster Ambulance Association, c/o Ron Wert,
25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.

David William Murphy
Active in Grange

     GORHAM -- David W. Murphy, 76, of 6 Elm Street, Gorham, died on
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004 of injuries received in an automobile-pedestrian
accident in Conway.
     David was born in Berlin on Nov. 30, 1927, the son of William J. and
Katherine (Birt) Murphy. In May of 1929, the family moved to Gorham at 6
Elm Street, where the family has always lived. He attended the Upper
Village Grade School (which he and his brother Fred purchased in 1956) and
Gorham High School, graduating in the Class if 1945. After his graduation,
he worked for the Brown Company Woods Department until he went into the
service in March of 1946. He took his basic training at Camp Joseph
Robinson, Arkansas and was transferred to the Second Infantry Division at
Fort Lewis, Washington, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. After
his discharge from the Army in 1947 he went to work in the mill for the
Brown Company. He worked on the paper machines from 1949 until his
retirement in 1990. He was in the “Start Up” crew of No. 10 (Tissue)
Machine.
     He was a member of the Gorham Congregational Church, UCC. David was
also active in fraternal circles. He was a Past Inner Guard of the Grand
Lodge of N.H. Knights of Pythias and was a Past Chancellor of Madison Lodge
No. 67 of Gorham. He was a past master of Pine Mountain Grange No. 354 P.
of H. and later Past Master of Starr King Grange No. 124, P. of H. of
Jefferson. He was a Past Master of both Androscoggin Valley Pomona Grange
No. 15 and Northern Pomona Grange No. 5 of P. of H. He belonged to Ideal
Rebekah Lodge No. 65 of Gorham and later Pliny Rebekah Lodge, I.O.O.F. No
92 of Jefferson. He was a Past Grand of Glen Lodge No. 54 of Gorham and
when Glen Lodge consolidated with Mt. Jefferson Lodge No. 103, I.O.O.F. he
became a member of that body.
     David was a member of Dupont-Holmes Post #82 American Legion, the
Appalachian Mountain Club, the Gorham Historical Society, the Mount
Washington Observatory and the Stanley Steamer Museum. He had climbed the
New England 4,000 peaks. David was active in political circles, having
served 12 years as a selectman of the town of Gorham. He was a member of
the Gorham Water and Sewer Commission for many years and also the Gorham
Budget Committee and the Town Forest Committee.
His family includes many cousins.
     A funeral service will be held on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29, at 2
p.m. at the Gorham Congregational Church, UCC in Gorham with Rev. Miryam
Hammond, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Lary Cemetery in
Gorham. Relatives and friends can call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 1
Promenade St., Gorham, on Wednesday afternoon and evening from 2 to 4 p.m.
and 7 to 9 p.m.
     Donations can be made in his memory to the Gorham Congregational
Church, UCC, or to the Horton Center, c/o the Gorham Congregational Church,
UCC.

Joseph C. Richardson
Music teacher, veteran

     LANCASTER -- Joseph C. Richardson, 81, of Kilkenny Street, died at his
home on Sunday Jan. 25, 2004.
     Mr. Richardson was born in Claremont, on Dec. 29, 1922, the son of
Charles S. and Grace D. (Osgood) Richardson.
     Raised in Claremont, he was a graduate of Claremont High School and
served in the Navy during World War II. He went on to acquire a Bachelors
degree in Music Theory from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Masters
degree in Music Education from Ithaca College. For many years he taught
music in the public school systems in various states and locally. He was
also employed for 12 years with James River Corp in Groveton. He was an
accomplished strings player and taught many people to play instruments such
as the fiddle, guitar, and cello.
     Family members include his wife, Virginia (Owen) Richardson of
Lancaster; two daughters, Barbara Long of Oakham, Mass., Leslie Richardson
of Nashua; a sister, Eleanor C. Morin of Berlin; three grandchildren and
one great-grandson.
     At Mr. Richardson’s request there will be no visiting hours or
services.
     Interment will be in the spring in the Union Cemetery, West Claremont.
     Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the
Lancaster Ambulance Association, c/o Ron Wert, 25 Main Street, Lancaster,
NH 03584 or Weeks Memorial Library, 128 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.
     Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home,
Lancaster.

Rosaline Vogel Sommer
Mother, grandmother

     LANCASTER -- Rosaline Vogel Sommer, 91, died at Holton Point Assisted
Living, Lancaster on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004.
     Born on Sept. 22, 1912 in White Mills, Penn., Rosaline like to bake,
crochet, read, and spend time with her family. Her husband of 40 years,
John P. Sommer, died previously on March 6, 1982. Her parents Nicholas and
Anna Demmerle Vogel, one sister, six brothers, and other family also died
previously.
     A resident of Brighton Township, Penn., from 1951 to 1998, Rosaline
was a member of SS Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Beaver, Penn.
She moved to the home of her daughter in Gilman, Vt. in 1998 and then to
Holton Point Assisted Living, Lancaster, in September of 2002 where she was
a member of St. Theresa and St. Leo’s Catholic Community, Gilman, Vt.
     Family members include her daughter Kathy Sommer Brown and her husband
Rev. Mr. William J. Brown III of Gilman, Vt.; grandson Kevin P. Brown, wife
Christine, and great-grandson Keagan of Colchester, Vt.; granddaughter Kara
Brown Quist, husband Michael and great-grandson Patrick of Montpelier, Vt.;
son John “Jack” Vogel Sommer and his wife Judy Mittner Sommer of Beaver
Falls, Penn.; grandson Joel Sommer and partner Nicole of Arlington, Va.;
granddaughter Julie Sommer of Washington D.C.; son Eugene “Gene” Neal
Sommer and his wife Barbara Califiore Sommer of Pittsburgh, Penn.; grandson
Brian Sommer, wife Joy, great-grandchildren Trevor and Zoe of Pittsburg,
Penn.; granddaughter Missy Sommer of Pittsburgh, Penn.; granddaughter
Kristen Lewis, husband Brian, great-grandchildren Jake, Sommer, Colin and
Abby of Pittsburgh, Penn.; niece Anne Vogel Thompson and husband Douglas of
Bend, Ore.
     A memorial service for friends and family in Vermont and New Hampshire
will be held on Sunday, Feb. 8, at St. Theresa’s Church in Gilman, Vermont
at 3 p.m. A reception will follow. There will be no viewing hours. Rosaline
requested cremation and to be buried next to her husband in Pennsylvania.
     In lieu of flowers, Rosaline requested that donations be made to St.
Theresa and St. Leo’s Catholic Community, PO Box 69, Gilman, VT 05904.
Visiting the elderly, and giving of one’s time, is a wish of the family.
The family is appreciative to the caregivers of Holton Point Assisted
Living, Lancaster, for their love and support.
     Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home,
Lancaster.