Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, July 7, 2004 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Jean Bergeron Veteran, worked for G. E. CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Jean (Bob) Bergeron of Clearwater and Hooksett, N.H., died on June 30, 2004 at his home in Clearwater. He was 70. Mr. Bergerson was born in Berlin, N.H. and moved to Florida from Rochester, N.H. in 1985. He was an Army veteran and had worked for 30 years for General Electric in digital inventory. He had owned the Northwood Motel in Northwood, N.H. He was a member of the Catholic faith. He had an avid interest in computers and woodworking. Members of his family include his wife, Jacqueline Bergeron of Clearwater; sons, Dale A. Bergeron of Manchester, N.H., and Alan Bergeron of Sunapee, N.H.; a brother, Norman Bergeron of Berlin, N.H.; a sister, Claire McKay of Saco, Me.; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Those wishing to make a donation in Mr. Bergeron's memory can send it to: American Cancer Society, Pinellas, Fla., or Hospice of Florida (Suncoast), 300 East Bay Dr., Largo, FL 33770. Peter D. Bronson Former Lancaster resident A committal service was held on June 19 in the Summer Street Cemetery in Lancaster for Peter Donald Bronson of Lake Tahoe, Nev., who died on May 24, 2004 in Los Angeles, Calif. Peter was born to William M. and Eleanor (Hillier) Bronson on January 5, 1944. He spent some of his earlier years attending Lancaster Elementary School and went on to graduate from San Jose High School and also from San Jose State College in California. Peter was an Army veteran, serving in Korea. The family includes his brother William M. Bronson III; two nieces, Shelley and Billie; an aunt, Addie Beattie; and several cousins. His parents died previously. Richard W. Crane Sr. Insurance agent, veteran, Red Sox fan EAST GREENWICH, R.I. -- Richard W. Crane Sr., 80, of Lillian Street, East Greenwich, R.I., died on July 3, 2004, at home. He was the husband of Elizabeth N. (Foley) Crane. Born in Cranston, R.I., a son of the late Harold W. and Helen A. (Walden) Crane Sr., he had lived in E. Greenwich since 1963 and had previously lived in Springfield, Mass., and Cranston. Mr. Crane was a life insurance agent with Mass. Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Providence for 27 years, retiring in 1990. He held the titles of ChFC (Chartered Financial Counselor) and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), having earned both designations from American College in Bryn Mawr, Penn. During his career, he worked assiduously to help his clients achieve their lifetime financial goals. Prior to his career in insurance, he was a public accountant for the former Elwell, Smith and Lawton in Providence. He was a WWII Navy veteran and a 1948 graduate of Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston. His decision to pursue a career in financial planning was borne out of the opportunity to attend a Dale Carnegie course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations, which he always cited as a turning point in his life. He was a member of Harmony Lodge F&AM, East Greenwich Rotary Club, and the Providence Jaycees. He also was a member of East Greenwich First Baptist Church for 41 years, where he served at various times as president, treasurer, and chairman or member of the church's Boards of Trustees, Deacons, Christian Education, its Stewardship Committee, and in other ad hoc leadership roles. Mr. Crane was known for his optimism, warmth, and his keen sense of humor. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who always placed his family first. He was also a passionate, lifelong sports fan, following the Patriots, many Rhode Island college sports, and most importantly, the Red Sox. Besides his wife of nearly 58 years, he leaves six children: Rev. Dr. Susan E. Crane of Chesterville, Me., Richard W. Crane Jr. of Cazadero, Calif., Robert D. Crane of Santa Rosa, Calif., Janet S. Crane of W. Warwick, R.I., Nancy C. Rosen of West Hartford, Conn., and Donald L. Crane of Lancaster, N.H.; a sister, Virginia C. Hird of Sykesville, Md.; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Harold W. Crane, Jr. A service will be held in the East Greenwich First Baptist Church on Friday, July 9. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of East Greenwich Memorial Fund or VNA of Care New England Hospice. Harold W. Holden War Veteran, avid sportsman QUINCY, Ill. -- Harold W. Holden, 72, died on July 3, 2004 in Quincy, Ill., after a long illness. He was born in Lancaster, N.H., on October 2, 1931 to Horace E. and Annie (Freeman) Holden, one of 13 children. Affectionately known as ÒKellyÓ to family and friends, the nickname was pinned on him by his older sister Janet because he had red hair. Kelly worked on the family farm in Groveton during his high school years. After finishing school, he went to work at the Brattleboro Retreat in Brattleboro, Vt. A veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, he enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War. It was during this service that he met his wife-to-be Sara Crim, who also served in the Air Force. They married at Kansas City, Mo. on June 4, 1955. Sara always preferred the nickname ÒPeggy.Ó She was to be his wife for 49 years. Kelly decided to make a career out of the Air Force. Some of his duty stations were in Japan, Germany and a year at a remote base at Goose Bay, Labrador. His main specialty was as a dietician, serving in many base hospitals during his tenure. During one of his stateside assignments in Oklahoma, a tornado completely destroyed the house trailer he and Peggy lived in. Luckily they were both in a shelter at the time. He retired from the service after 22 years in 1974 at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Ill. Among his medals were the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal three times. After retirement, Kelly stayed on in the civil service in the same capacity he had in the military. He worked part of the time at that job and then worked as base maintenance for 17 years. From there, Kelly and Peggy moved to their permanent retirement home in Belleview, Fla. He was an avid sportsman. During his military career, both he and Peggy pursued his favorite sport of bowling and enjoyed many league competitions. They both loved camping, touring the country from campground to campground. Kelly loved fishing: whenever they went camping, he always brought along his fishing rod. Each summer Kelly always made a special effort to return to the North Country to visit all the family members and attend family reunions. The family includes his wife Peggy of Quincy; a son, Dale Holden and his wife Brenda of Mobile, Ala.; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Florence (Holden) Berube and Sylvia (Holden) Stone of Groveton, N.H.; three brothers, Ronald Holden of Groveton, Russel Holden of Lehighton, Penn., and Kent Holden of Ogdenburg, N.Y.; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on July 13 at the United Methodist Church in Groveton. Donations in Kelly's memory may be made to the American Alzheimers Association. Blanche E. Lewis Had worked at Groveton Paper LANCASTER -- Blanche E. Lewis, 79, died on Tuesday evening June 29, 2004, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon. Mrs. Lewis was born in East Boston, Mass., on May 20, 1925, the daughter of Arthur and Grace (Lawlor) MacLean. She was a long time resident of Lunenburg, Vt. and Lancaster. For many years she was a clerical worker at Groveton Paper Company, Groveton. In Lancaster, she was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Auxiliary. She was also active in the Wrestling Booster Club at White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield. In 1985, she moved to Derry, where she was a member of the Church of Transfiguration and Auxiliary, the Derry Senior Citizens, and a volunteer at Parkland Medical Center. Family members include a daughter, Grace E. LaPierre and husband John LaPierre of Gorham; two sons, Clayton ÒButchÓ Lewis and wife Kathy of Farmington, and Rexford Lewis and wife Renee of Meridian, Miss.; a son-in-law, Timothy Beaton of Londonderry; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Her husband Clayton E. Lewis and a daughter Linda L. Beaton died previously. Visiting hours were held on Sunday afternoon and evening, July 4, at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service was held on Monday morning, July 5, at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Lancaster. The Reverend David Rose, pastor, officiated. Burial will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Lunenburg, Vt., at the convenience of the family. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to St. Paul's Building Fund, 113 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584. Gleigh A. Stoddard Born in Lancaster LIBERTY, S.C. -- Gleigh A. Stoddard, 83, of Liberty, widow of Robert Stoddard, died on Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the Palmetto Baptist Medical Center. Born in Lancaster, N.H., she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Clara Gilman Savage. She was a manager/owner of various retail businesses. She attended Winding Creek Baptist Church. Family members include her sons, Bryon E. Austin of Easley, and Frederick Austin of Gilman, Vt.; a daughter, Valerie Trahan of Liberty; a sister, Louise Tabbut of Littleton, N.H.; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in New Hampshire at a later date. Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, Central, S.C., is assisting the family with arrangements. Burleigh F. Whitney World War II decorated veteran BIRNEY, Mont. -- Burleigh F. Whitney, 79, formerly of Lancaster, died on June 28, 2004. He was born in Lancaster on September 20, 1924, the son of Frank T. and Wilma B. (Goodall) Whitney. Burleigh lived and worked on his folks' family farm. When he reached the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army, serving in the 3rd Division-15th Infantry from his induction on April 1, 1943 to separation on November 17, 1945. He was an expert rifleman. He served in Rome, Arno, southern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with bronze service arrowhead, the Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Silver Star. After his discharge in 1945, Burleigh had numerous jobs before he went to work for Joseph Fitzmorris Plumbing and Heating Company, where he learned the plumbing trade. Later on, he worked for F. B. Spaulding and the Town of Lancaster Highway Department. His last job before he retired was for the State of New Hampshire Highway Department as laborer and truck/plow driver. Burleigh was a former member of Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 3041 of Lancaster and a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans of America. He was also a volunteer fireman for years in Lancaster. He loved to fish and hunt. On November 14, 1946, he married Melvina Clara Huntington. Nine children--six boys and three girls--were born to them. The family includes his wife, Melvina of Birney, Mont.; six sons, Burleigh Whitney and wife Honey of Big Lake, Ak., Thomas A. Whitney and Betty Maresh of Lancaster, Michael S. Whitney and Teresa Dupont of Lunenburg, Mass., Peter Whitney and Lisa Parks of Lancaster, Benjamin Whitney and Marge Homan of Jefferson, and Kenneth Whitney and wife Carolyn of Jefferson; three daughters, Laurel A. (Whitney) Fjell and husband Butch of Birney, Mont., Juanita (Whitney) Thomas and husband Louie of Anchorage, Ak., and Penny Whitney of Lancaster; 22 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Edna Kiser and Amy Wade; and two brothers, Roland and Ross Whitney. In addition to his parents, a brother, Herbert and a sister, Hilda died previously.