Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, July 28, 2004 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Roland A. Dorr Decorated veteran; postmaster WHITEFIELD -- Roland A. Dorr, 81, of Jefferson Road, Whitefield, died at his home on July 20, 2004. A native of Whitefield, Roland was born a son of Cleophas A. and Esther (Smith) Dorr on November 11, 1922. He attended area schools and was graduated from Whitefield High School. Roland joined the Navy on October 8, 1943 from his employment at Todd-Bath Shipbuilding Co. of South Portland, Me. After basic training at NTS, Newport, R.I., he was assigned to the Pre-Commissioning Detail of the USS Hancock CV-19 in the communications division. He participated in all actions of the ship, from commissioning to 1st decommissioning in Bremerton, Wash., including two trips under Magic Carpet. He was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the American Defense Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal (five stars) and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Medal. Any and all of the many battles were memorable. He was discharged in May 1946 and in October 1946 he married Pauline Plante. Roland was commissioned by President Eisenhower in March 1959 as postmaster of Littleton and was transferred to postmaster in Lancaster in 1975. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in April 1984. Since retirement, Roland had operated a shop at his home known as Strawberry Acre Crafts, building clocks and many other items. The family includes one daughter, Anita (Dorr) Swartz of Livingston, Tex.; one brother, James C. Dorr of Sarasota, Fla.; two sisters, Delephine M. Clough of Meredith and Dorothy E. Dorr of Whitefield; a stepmother, Ellen Dorr of Whitefield; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 27, at the Pillsbury Funeral Home in Littleton, with the Rev. Lyn McIntosh officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. To view an online memorial or to send a message of condolence, visit www.pillsburyfh.com. Hazel E. Gardner Leaves handwork legacy LANCASTER -- Hazel E. Gardner, 87, of 186 Main Street, died on Monday evening, July 19, 2004, at Country Village Health Care Center. She was born in Lancaster on August 19, 1916, the daughter of Shirley and Elizabeth (Monahan) Gardner. Hazel attended Lancaster schools and was graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1934. She lived in Worcester, Mass. for 25 years, returning to Lancaster in 1995. She was retired from Western Union Telegraph Co., where she worked as bookkeeper and cashier. Hazel was skilled in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc., and always had a handwork project in progress until arthritis set into her hands. She leaves a lovely legacy of afghans, bedspreads, tablecloths, etc. The family includes one sister, Eleanor G. White and one sister-in-law, Veronica Gardner, both of Lancaster; and nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Glenn B. Gardner and Henry T. Gardner died previously. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 23 at All Saints Catholic Church, with the Rev. Raymond Ball, pastor, officiating. Burial followed in Summer Street Cemetery. The family requests donations in her memory be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association. The Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster was in charge of arrangements. Mildred Howard Singer with country band NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Mildred ÒMillieÓ Howard, 72, died on July 12, 2004. She was 72. The family includes her children, Doug Danforth, Darrel (and Ruby) Danforth, Dawn Danforth and Jimmy Howard; two grandchildren, K.C. (and Tiffiney) Danforth and Tina Kinnaird; two sisters, Marion (and Wally) Skinner (who have returned home to Lancaster from Nashville after attending her sister's funeral there) and Blanche Maurice; one brother, Donald (and Ethel) Byrd; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Watkins; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services were held on July 16 at Forest Lawn Chapel, with Dr. Lloyd Johnson officiating. For those who remember, Millie Howard was the only girl singer with the Chet Howard and the Rodeo Wrangler Band that played for years in the area at such places as Fat's Place in Lunenburg, Vt. and Nichols Dance Hall on Oregon Rd. in North Concord, Vt., among others. There is a website under Howard (then go to Millie Howard) as a tribute to her, for those interested in viewing it: www.mem.com. Eugene J. LaPlante Jr. CCC member; vegetable gardener DOVER -- Eugene J. LaPlante Jr., 89, of 12 Hawthorne Road, died on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital following a short illness. Born on June 13, 1915 in Winslow, Me., he was the third son of four born to Eugene John Sr. and Cora C. (Mercier) LaPlante. His family later relocated to Berlin, where Gene grew up and was educated. He was a graduate of Berlin High School, class of 1934. As a young man, he worked in Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps before completing an apprenticeship as a toolmaker. He wed Claire Schoff on December 6, 1937 in her hometown of Groveton. In 1940, Eugene, Claire and their baby daughter moved to Dover and Gene started his career at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Subsequently he worked at General Electric in Somersworth for 25 years and then returned to the shipyard where he worked until his retirement in 1980. Claire and Gene had been members of the Silver Squares and the Active Retirement Association. Gene was a member of the General Electric Association, Knights of Columbus, Senior Friends, Historical Society and the Cocheco Country Club. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church. He skied in his youth and snowshoed. He was a lifelong avid reader, especially interested in historic topics. He enjoyed golf and dancing and was very interested in state and national politics. His vegetable garden always provided extras for family and neighbors. Gene was devoted to his wife of 66 years, Claire R. (Schoff) LaPlante. He will be sorely missed by his children, Janice S. Gardner of Dover, Elizabeth and William Anderson of Hampton, Eugene John and Lynne LaPlante III of Dover and Peter and Mary LaPlante of Lebanon, Me.; his grandchildren, Sharon Mullen and husband Michael Kennedy of Hampton, Wendy Wilson Blackman and husband Jamie of Dover, Gregg John and Tina Wilson of Barrington, Kimberly LaPlante of Jackson, Benjamin LaPlante of Portsmouth, Emily LaPlante of Sanford, Me., Michael and Merisella LaPlante of Sanford, Me.; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Edgar LaPlante of Gorham; and his loving dog, Pepe. Two brothers, Fernand LaPlante and Sylvio LaPlante died previously. Calling hours were held on Thursday, July 22 at Tasker Funeral Home in Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, July 23 at St. Joseph Church in Dover, with the Rev. Robert F. Cole, pastor, officiating. Burial followed in St. Mary New Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Wentworth Homecare and Hospice, 113 New Rochester Rd., Suite 4, Dover, NH 03820. For more information or to sign the on-line guest book, go to www.taskerfh.com. Pauline St. Onge Oldest in large family GROVETON -- Pauline St. Onge, 73, died on July 22, 2004 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, following several months of illness due to cancer. She was born in Hermenegilde, Canada to Adelard and Jeanne (Dube) Dube on April 11, 1931. Her family moved to the United States when she was a young child. Mrs. St. Onge was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Groveton and a member of Groveton Moose Lodge. She was employed as a machine operator for James River Paper for many years. The family includes her husband of 48 years, Norice St. Onge of Groveton; a son, Michael and his wife Cathy of Groveton; two granddaughters, Christy St. Onge of Groveton and Casey Dowland of Guildhall, Vt.; seven brothers, Roland and George Dube of Nashua, Francois, Robert and Reginald Dube, all of Ontario, Canada, Richard and Real Dube of Coaticook, Canada; four sisters, Jeanne Oulette and Fernande Dube of Coaticook, Canada, Simone Benoit of Groveton and Diane Vallencourt of Hudson. A sister, Monique and three brothers, Flora, Marcel and Roland died previously. There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, July 31 at Northumberland Cemetery with Fr. Daniel Deveau of St. Francis Xavier church officiating. Flowers will be accepted. Main-Armstrong Funeral Home in Groveton is assisting the family with arrangements. To sign the on-line register book or send condolences, go to www.legacy.com. Blaine A. Whitney Antique car club member LITTLETON -- Blaine A. Whitney, 53, of 198 Crane Street in Littleton, died on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at Country Village Health Care Center in Lancaster, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Gray, Me. on September 10, 1950, the son of Harold and Eva (Pelletier) Whitney. He had lived in Littleton for the past 13 years. He was a member of the White Mountain Antique Car Club. The family includes his wife, Laverne Whitney of Littleton; three sons, Sherman Eastton of Chowchilla, Calif., Ricky Whitney and Freddie Whitney; one daughter, Evelyn Eastton of Littleton; one brother, Nathan McMinn of Gray, Me.; one sister, Lancey Wheaton of Bangor, Me.; and several nieces and nephews. Services were held on Tuesday, July 27 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. Burial will be at a later date. Edgar Pitkin Wyman Opinionated, generous, helpful NORTH SANDWICH -- Edgar Pitkin Wyman, 89, of North Sandwich, died on July 13, 2004 at the Mt. View Nursing Home in Ossipee. E.P., as he became known, was born in Somerville, Mass., the son of Lucy (Allen) Wyman and Harry Edgar Wyman. Edgar was named after his great uncle Edgar Pitkin, of Winchendon, Mass., who died in the Civil War. Edgar Wyman received a bachelor's degree from UNH in 1937 and master's degree from the Yale School of Forestry in 1939. In the intervening year he clerked for the paper company in Lincoln where he formed a lifelong friendship with Sherman Adams, later elected Governor of the state. After Yale Ed supervised a WPA crew in Ohio. In 1940 he and his bride moved to Shasta County, Calif. where he was hired to manage private forestlands. At the onset of WWII Ed enlisted in the Coast Guard as an ensign and skipper of an 83-foot anti-submarine patrol boat, which was subsequently transferred aboard a "Victory Ship" to the Philippines. Charged with the maintenance of navigation aides, Ed taught his crew to use backpacking methods learned in the White Mountains. Upon return to New England after the war Ed was hired at the University of Connecticut to teach logging and forest management. He was a dedicated and passionate teacher who for a number of years organized summer camps in Maine where he taught traditional forestry practices and forged friendships that lasted throughout his life. As a conservationist and advocate of multiple use, he was instrumental in revitalizing the 'New England Christmas Tree Growers Association and also served as Extension Forester for the state of Connecticut for a number of years. He was a lifelong member of the Society of American Foresters and in 1996 received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his "contribution and achievements in the profession É and local community." An outspoken individual and natural activist, Ed served several terms as President of the United World Federalists and chairman of the Mansfield, Conn., Chapter of the Red Cross Blood Drive. Ed was a man of varied talents. With the help of several students he built a log cabin home for his young family in 1948. Over the years he repaired canoes, built furniture and made substantial renovations to the family home when needed. His passion for the outdoors led the family to hiking and skiing in the White Mountains and paddling innumerable Maine rivers. In 1978 he led a six-week expedition down the Albany River from Manitoba to James Bay. Every spring the Wyman family made maple syrup as well, a tradition Ed brought with him to North Sandwich upon his retirement there in 1969. Ed kept a large garden, enjoyed heating the farmhouse with wood, and spent hours in his woodshop. For years he was active in the Sandwich Fire Department, delivered meals to the elderly and worked as a decent for the Historical Society. A voracious reader with a prodigious memory, Ed could quote pages from Kipling, Service and others. Under the right conditions he would take out his mandolin or fiddle to accompany a repertoire of sometimes colorful songs. Square dancing, bean hole beans and an infamous batch of hard cider were all part of his rich life. He was known for his strong and well-voiced opinions, but also recognized for a generous heart and helpful nature. Ed was an egalitarian man whose friendships encompassed a great diversity of people. He often said that he believed no one had more fun in life than he. His only sibling, Dorothy Wyman Kirk of Rutland, Vt. died previously. His family includes his wife of 64 years, Barbara Jocelyn Frost, and three children, Allen Bradford of Dummer, Burleigh Fairchild of Jefferson and Lucy Katharine of Lancaster. There will be no service but the family expects to celebrate this wonderful life sometime in August.