Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, February 25, 2004

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Clifford Drake Jr.
Roots in North Country

     SARASOTA, Fla. Ñ Clifford Drake Jr., 76, died on Feb. 9, 2004 in
Sarasota, Fla.
     He was born on April 21, 1927 in New York City to Clifford Drake Sr.
and Christiane ÒMarieÓ (Woldt) Drake.
     He attended the Jefferson Elementary School, where a favorite teacher
was Mrs. Carpenter. During this time, he lived with his grandparents Ethel
(Drake) Shute and Frank F. Shute, his mother Marie Drake and his younger
sister Pat at their home ÒBashabaÓ in the Waumbek Cottage Colony. Mr. and
Mrs. Shute were the last owners of the ÒoldÓ Waumbek Hotel resort when it
burned to the ground in March 1928.
     Mr. Drake was a 1947 graduate of the Stevens Institute of Technology
in New Jersey. Following college, he joined Texaco and was associated with
that company for 27 years, based in Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and
New York. In 1974 he created the Avanti Petroleum Co., based in London, and
he lived there for the next four years. He returned to New York City in
1978 and within a year accepted a position with Mitsui USA. He remained
with them until his retirement in 1986.
     He and his family were long-time summer residents in Spofford Lake,
N.H., and later on had a summer home in Quechee, Vt. He was an avid tennis
and squash player. Trout fishing was one of his greatest interests. Mr.
Drake returned to ÒBashabaÓ many times to fish locally and often with his
guide Ernest Cass of the North Road. Together, they took his children Susan
and Craig on fishing trips, both in Jefferson and further north. Later on,
he and his wife Jill took annual fall vacations at the ÒGlenÓ in Pittsburg
where he continued to pursue his love for fishing. After retirement, Mr.
and Mrs. Drake visited numerous countries, but equally important to them
were their nostalgic trips back to Jefferson and Pittsburg.
     For the past 20 years, Mr. and Mrs. DrakeÕs permanent home was on
Siesta Key in Sarasota, Fla. He was a trustee of the Sarasota Memorial
Hospital Century Foundation, as well as a member of the Field Club of
Sarasota and the Union Club of New York.
     The family includes his wife of 54 years, Kathleen ÒJillÓ (Sladen)
Drake of Sarasota, Fla.; his son, Craig L. Drake, his daughter Susan W.,
and two grandsons, Connor D. and Clifford 3rd, all of Chapel Hill, N.C.;
two sisters, Patricia (Drake) Keady of Longmeadow, Mass., and Mary (Drake)
Fuller of Boca Raton, Fla.; and first cousins, Leland F. Ward of Greenwich,
Conn. and Winifred S. Ward of Jefferson.
     A funeral was held on Feb. 13 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic
Church in Siesta Key, Sarasota, Fla. In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made in Mr. DrakeÕs memory to Hospice of Southwest Florida, Inc., 5955 Rand
Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.

Arlene M. Heath

Inspiration to all

     COLEBROOK Ñ Arlene M. Heath, 95, died on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004 at her
home in West Springfield, Mass., after a long illness.
     Mrs. Heath was born on March 24, 1908 in Canaan, Vt., the daughter of
William I. and Myrtie (Chamberlain) Dwinell.
     In 1959 she moved to West Springfield, Mass., and worked as a nanny
and housekeeper until age 70. She became blind 22 years ago and lived alone
until the age of 93. She was an inspiration to her family and those with
whom she came in contact, and she never had a complaint.
     Mrs. Heath was married to Claude Heath. Her family includes two sons,
Claude Heath of Harrison, Me., and Guy Heath of Westbrook, Me.; four
daughters, Claudia Dustin and Barbara Johnston, both of Colebrook and
Bertha Roberson and Claudette Weatherby, both of West Springfield, Mass.;
20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren;
as well as many nieces and nephews. Her husband died in 1940 and her son,
Sherwood Heath and five brothers and sisters also died previously.
     Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 25 (today) from 10 a.m.
to noon at the Jenkins Funeral Home in Colebrook. A funeral service will be
held Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 25 (today) at 2 p.m. at the Monadnock
Congregational Church in Colebrook, with the Rev. Edward Jager officiating.
Burial will be in the Alice Ward Cemetery in Canaan, Vt. in the spring.
     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home,
Colebrook. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to
www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net.

Blanche M. Huntoon

Gardener, knitter

     BENTON Ñ Blanche M. Huntoon, 81, formerly of Bethlehem, died on Feb.
20, 2004 at Glencliff Home for the Elderly.
     She was born on July 20, 1922 in Barton, Vt., the daughter of Levi and
Alvinia (Duparo) LaPete.
     Mrs. Huntoon attended Barton schools. She lived most of her life in
Bethlehem. She worked many years for Connors & Hoffman Shoe Co. in
Littleton. She enjoyed gardening and knitting.
     The family includes four sons, Robert J. Huntoon and Roger J. Huntoon,
both of Lincoln, Kendall B. Huntoon Jr. of Munroe, and Barry A. Huntoon of
Whitefield; a daughter, Joyce A. Huntoon of Meredith; 12 grandchildren;
five great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Stone of Bethlehem; a brother,
Raymond LaPete of Dover; nieces and nephews. Her husband, Kendall Huntoon
Sr., died previously.
     Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 9:30-10 a.m. in
the chapel of the Glencliff Home for the Elderly, High Street, followed by
a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Maple Street
Cemetery in Bethlehem in the spring.
     The Edmund Fournier Funeral Home in North Woodstock is in charge of
arrangements.

Roy E. Merrow

Was Weeks Library custodian

     LANCASTER Ñ Roy E. Merrow, 82, of Elm Street, died on Monday morning,
Feb. 23, 2004, at the Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield.
     He was born in Boston, Mass. on Sept. 30, 1921, the son of Harry and
Marion (Wark) Merrow.
     Roy was a lifetime resident of Lancaster. He attended schools there
and went on to serve with the Army in the European Theater during World War
II. He married Virginia ÒBeaÓ Porter on Oct. 27, 1946.
     For 37 years he was employed with Connecticut Valley Dairy in
Lancaster, and then worked several years for the White Mountain School
District. Retiring in 1987, he then drove school buses for Bruce
Transportation until 2001. Roy was also a volunteer at Weeks Medical Center
and custodian of Weeks Memorial Library for 17 years. His hobbies included
woodworking.
     He was a member of St. PaulÕs Episcopal Church, the American Legion,
and was a former Odd Fellow.
     Family members include 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 brother, Allan Merrow of Groveton; one sister, Betty
Rideout of S. Hadley, Mass.; and nine nieces and nephews. RoyÕs wife Bea
died last month on Jan. 13, 2004; a brother, John Merrow and a sister, Mary
Thibodeau also died previously.
     There are no visiting hours. A memorial service celebrating Roy and
BeaÕs lives will be held in the spring. An announcement will be made at
that time.
     Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in RoyÕs memory to Weeks
Memorial Library, 128 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.
     Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home,
Lancaster.

Rev. James Kieran OÕConnor

Was pastor at All Saints

     MANCHESTER Ñ The Rev. James Kieran OÕConnor, 83, died on Feb. 21, 2004
at the Bishop Peterson Residence after a period of declining health.
     Born in Berlin on April 28, 1920, he was the son of John Henry and
Mary (Farrell) OÕConnor.
     Father OÕConnor attended schools in Berlin and was graduated from
Berlin High School in 1937. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St.
Paul Seminary in Ottawa, Canada and pursued ecclesiastical studies for
ordination to the priesthood at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Md. He was
ordained a priest on Feb. 24, 1945.
     He was appointed associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in
Penacook in 1945. He later served as associate pastor of St. Rose of Lima
Parish in Littleton and at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Concord. He
was appointed administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Hinsdale in 1962 and
later as pastor. He served as pastor of All Saints Parish in Lancaster from
1968 to 1975, at which time he became pastor of St. Peter Parish in
Walpole. In 1984, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Newport.
In 1993, he was appointed chaplain to St. Teresa Manor and the Bishop
Peterson Apartments in Manchester.
     Father OÕConnor also served the Diocese of Manchester as a notary in
the Diocesan Tribunal and in various capacities in support of the ministry
of Catholic Women in New Hampshire. He was well noted for his dedication to
and zeal for the Gospel of Life and his promotion of devotion to Our Lady.
Father OÕConnor was a beloved spiritual adviser to the Legion of Mary and
other Marian movements of the Christian faithful for many years. In his
later years, unable to drive, he rode his bicycle from Manchester to the
womenÕs prison in Goffstown, where he celebrated Mass and the Sacraments,
counseled and comforted many inmates.
     The family includes a brother, Raymond OÕConnor of San Diego, Calif.;
four nieces and four nephews.
     Father OÕConnor will lie in state on Wednesday, Feb. 25 (today) at St.
Teresa Manor, 519 Bridge St., Manchester, from 3-6 p.m., at which time
evening prayer will be celebrated. The Most Rev. John B. McCormack, bishop
of Manchester, will preside at a Mass of Christian burial at St. Joseph
Cathedral on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
     The Rite of Committal will take place at noon on Friday, Feb. 27 at
St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish in Berlin. Burial will be in
Calvary Cemetery in Berlin.
     Bykowski & Young Funeral Home in Manchester is handling arrangements.

Gregory A. Shepard Jr.

Loving father, husband

     DALTON Ñ Gregory A. Shepard Jr., 31, of 433 French Road, died on Feb.
17, 2004 while trying to rescue his family from a fire at their home.
GregÕs sons Zachary and Jesse also died in the fire.
     Greg was born in Lawrence, Mass., the son of Gregory and Susan
(Lacroix) Shepard. He attended the Whitefield Elementary School and White
Mountains Regional High School. He was employed at the Misty Meadows Farm,
Bethlehem. Greg had a fondness for snowmobiling in the winter, and being a
Òback yard mechanicÓ in the summer time. He will always be remembered as a
loving husband and father.
     Family members include his parents, his wife Lorena, a daughter Maria,
and a sister Vicki, all of Dalton; a brother Jeff and wife Tracy of
Whitefield; a son, Dakota, nine, of Woodsville; and two nieces and three
nephews.
     A Memorial Service for Greg and his two sons Jesse and Zachary was
held on Friday, Feb. 20, at noon, at the Dalton Congregational Church.
Friends and family gathered following the service at the Dalton Fire
Station.
     Those who wish may make donations to the Shepard Family Memorial, c/o
Lancaster National Bank, Whitefield Branch, 20 Jefferson Road, Whitefield,
NH 03598. The Ross Funeral Home, Whitefield Chapel, is in charge of
arrangements. Those wishing to sign an electronic register may log onto
www.rossfuneral.com.

Jesse Shepard

Son, brother

     Jesse Shepard, 6, of 433 French Road, died on Feb. 17, 2004 at his
home, as a result of a fire. He was born in Littleton, and had been a
lifelong resident of Dalton. He attended the Dalton Elementary School.
     Family members include his mother, Amy Christiaansen of Kenai, Alaska,
his step-mother Lorena Shepard, a sister Maria, his paternal grandparents
of Dalton, and his maternal grandmother, Joanne Laughlin, Limerick, Me.
     A Memorial Service for Greg and his two sons Jesse and Zachary was
held on Friday, Feb. 20, at noon, at the Dalton Congregational Church.
Friends and family gathered following the service at the Dalton Fire
Station.
     Those who wish may make donations to the Shepard Family Memorial, c/o
Lancaster National Bank, Whitefield Branch, 20 Jefferson Road, Whitefield,
NH 03598. The Ross Funeral Home, Whitefield Chapel, is in charge of
arrangements. Those wishing to sign an electronic register may log onto
www.rossfuneral.com.

Zachary Shepard

Son, brother

     Zachary Shepard, 4, of 433 French Road, died on Feb. 17, 2004 at his
home, as a result of a fire. He was born in Lancaster, and had been a
lifelong resident of Dalton.
     Family members include his mother Lorena Shepard, a sister Maria, his
paternal grandparents of Dalton, and his maternal grandmother, Joanne
Laughlin of Limerick, Me.
     A Memorial Service for Greg and his two sons Jesse and Zachary was
held on Friday, Feb. 20, at noon, at the Dalton Congregational Church.
Friends and family gathered following the service at the Dalton Fire
Station.
     Those who wish may make donations to the Shepard Family Memorial, c/o
Lancaster National Bank, Whitefield Branch, 20 Jefferson Road, Whitefield,
NH 03598. The Ross Funeral Home, Whitefield Chapel, is in charge of
arrangements. Those wishing to sign an electronic register may log onto
www.rossfuneral.com.