Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, January 12, 2005 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Winston E. Banfill Veteran, farmer COLUMBIA -- Winston E. Banfill, 82, of U. S. Route 3, died on Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 at Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital. Born on April 6, 1922 at Kerr's Hospital in Colebrook, he was the son of George and Bernice (Bennett) Banfill. Mr. Banfill was graduated from Canaan High School in 1939 and Lyndon Normal School in 1941. He moved to Wolcott, Vt. and taught school for a year, then enlisted in the Army and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1946, he returned to the North Country and farmed until retiring in 1978. He then owned and operated the Idle Inn Dairy Bar and a farm machinery business. He enjoyed his flower and vegetable gardens and would often give his gladiolas and other flowers to friends and family members. He was also a past member of the Benton Lodge 88, F&AM in Guildhall, Vt. The family includes his stepmother, Muriel Daicy of Lancaster; three nieces, Patricia L. Banfill of Clarksville, Marie E. Banfill of Louisville, Ky. and Gail Lewis of Concord; four cousins; and a goddaughter. Calling hours were held on Sunday, Jan. 9. The Rev. Priscilla Hull officiated at the funeral. A Masonic graveside service will be conducted by Evening Star Lodge 37 F&AM in the spring at Colebrook Village Cemetery, with military honors to follow. Memorial donations may be made to Upper Connecticut Valley Home Health, 141 Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Jenkins Funeral Home, Colebrook, handled arrangements. For more information, go to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. Andrew E. Gelinas Navy Seabee, contractor EPSOM -- Andrew E. Gelinas, 70, of Epsom died on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at CRVNA Hospice House in Concord after a brief battle with colon and liver cancer. Born in Manchester on June 17, 1934, he was a son of Joseph and Yvonne (Caron) Gelinas. Mr. Gelinas had lived in Epsom since 1989. He served in the Navy Seabees for 30 years. During that time he served as a weapons instructor, a construction instructor, a combat training instructor and a career councilor. He had also attended many military schools and was a member of many mobile construction battalions. After retirement from the military, Mr. Gelinas began a career in real estate and construction, operating as a general contractor and real estate company. During the Ô90s he spent several years as a general contractor in the North Country area building homes and acting as a real estate broker for the sale of those homes. The family includes his wife of 13 years, Clara L. (Yeaton) Gelinas of Epsom; two brothers, Fernand G. Gelinas of Manchester and Norman L. Gelinas of Bedford; a sister, Helen Moquin of Bedford; and many nieces and nephews. His first wife, Germaine A. (Boulanger) Gelinas died in 1988; and a son, Richard A. Gelinas in 1999. There were no services. The burial was in McClary Cemetery in Epsom. Memorial donations may be made to CRVNA Hospice House, 250 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03302. For more information, visit www.lambertfuneralhome.com. Paul E. Greenwood Army veteran, outdoorsman, painter LANCASTER -- Paul Edward Greenwood, 87, of Lancaster died on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, following a sudden illness. Born on July 15, 1917, he was a son of Edward N. Greenwood and Nora Brisson of Lancaster. He married Esther Mary Cummings of Lancaster in June 1949. Paul was a 1936 graduate of Lancaster Academy. Prior to World War II, he was employed with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He enlisted in the Army on Sept. 27, 1940, serving as a postal clerk in Newfoundland. He was honorably discharged July 21, 1944. After he separated from the Army, Paul worked for eight years with the Gilman Paper Co. in Gilman, Vt., and for 25 years with the Groveton Paper Co. in Groveton, retiring there in 1982. He then worked at the Calvary Cemetery and Summer Street Cemetery, both in Lancaster. An avid outdoorsman, Paul spent most of his time working in his yard and garden. He found joy in growing raspberries and strawberries and raising chickens, which he sold to area residents. When he wasn't busy working outside, Paul enjoyed a myriad of interests such as fishing, tinkering with cars and woodcarving. Ever gifted with his hands, Paul built and carved several coffee tables, and was working on a table prior to his illness. Through his woodcarving skills, Paul showcased his love for animals, particularly cats, cows, dogs and ducks. (A cat lover, Paul through the years owned several felines whose names were always ÒMike.Ó) Paul didn't limit his carving skills to animals, as he also produced jewelry boxes and ornaments for his grandchildren. However, oil painting topped Paul's favorite pastime list. Because he loved the outdoors, he preferred to paint nature instead of portraits and still life subjects. A meticulous painter, Paul carefully planned each canvas by first taking Polaroid snapshots of and sketching the subject he intended to paint. Sometimes he would study his subject for hours before applying the first coat of paint. Although he considered himself an amateur painter, Paul sought to hone his painting skills. He read books, took numerous painting classes and studied the works of professional painters. His efforts paid dividends -- he sold several of his works and earned ribbons for artistic excellence at the annual September Lancaster Fair. New England landscapes, a white birch forest and an autumn leaves-covered sugarhouse are among his works. Several of his paintings hang in his daughters' homes. Paul's children believe that God called their dad home to paint the ultimate portrait of His Kingdom Paradise. Despite his age, Paul each day exercised by walking along Reed Road east of Lancaster. A skilled mechanic, Paul saved money by collecting spare parts and working on his own vehicles. He split his own wood and delighted in cutting down his own Christmas tree. Paul's youngest daughter, Peggy, said, "I enjoyed being with my dad, especially when he cut down our Christmas tree. Having to drag the tree home through the woods was hard work, but I didn't care -- I was with my dad. We laughed and had fun. Being with him was all I needed or cared about." Family members include his wife, Esther of Lancaster; three daughters, Mary Louise Smith and husband Kevin, Evelyn Blakslee and husband Allen, and Peggy Dagendesh and husband William; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara S. Miller of Lancaster. A sister, Nora Warren and two brothers, Raymond and Edward J. died previously. Visiting hours were held on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 9 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, Jan. 10 at All Saints Church in Lancaster, with the Rev. Raymond Ball, pastor, officiating. Donations in Paul's memory may be sent to the Lancaster Ambulance Association, c/o Ron Wert, 25 Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584. Dorothy R. Kilmer Mother, grandmother WHITEFIELD -- Dorothy R. Kilmer, 71, died on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005 at Weeks Medical Center. Born on Feb. 28, 1933 in Littleton, she was a daughter of Harry and Ellen Sidney. Mrs. Kilmer attended Littleton schools. She worked for Connors Footwear and Henschel's Shoe for many years. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading and spending time with her grandchildren. The family includes a son, Andrew Kilmer of Littleton; three daughters, Edna Ellis of Stewartstown, Zina Schmidt of Whitefield and Tara Kilmer of Hampton, Va.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond Sidney of Bethlehem and Ernest Sidney of Florida; a sister, Ila Hoar of Barnett, Vt.; and many nieces and nephews. A son died previously. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on May 20 at Glenwood Cemetery. Pillsbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service Inc. is handling arrangements. For more information, go to www.pillsburyfh.com. Richard Mayberry Army veteran GROVETON -- Richard ÒDickÓ Mayberry, 72, of Lost Nation Road, died at his home, on Jan. 4, 2005. Born on Jan. 27, 1932, Dick was a long time resident of Groveton who worked at Groveton Paper Company for many years. At times he also worked as a woodsman in the North Country and in Alaska. He served with the Army and was stationed for a time in Korea. Family members include his mother, Theo (York) Ricker of Woodsville; his stepmother, Priscilla Mayberry of Lancaster; a stepson, Calvin Thompson of Dalton; two stepsisters, Marlene Hartlen of Lancaster and Robin Dorr of Naperville, Ill.; nieces and nephews. His wife, Dorothy, A. Mayberry, his father, Herbert V. Mayberry, and his stepbrother, Peter J. Carr died previously. There are no visiting hours. A memorial service was held on Monday morning, Jan. 10 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. The Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Bentum, pastor of the Christ United Methodist Church officiated. Burial will be in the spring at Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Richard G. O'Brien Lancaster Royals baseball manager NORTH CONWAY -- Richard G. O'Brien, 72, of North Conway died on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005 at his home, following a long illness. Born in Whitefield, the son of Joseph and Amelia (Roy) O'Brien, he had lived in the Mount Washington Valley for over 25 years. He was graduated from Whitefield High School, class of 1950 and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Mr. O'Brien was a butcher in several A&P stores in the North Country for 25 years and a part-time officer with the Lancaster Police Department for 11 years. He also owned and operated the former Dawn's Light in Conway from 1978 to 1987 and O'Brien's Sports Pub from 1988 to 1992. He was a member of John W. Weeks V.F.W. Post #3041 in Lancaster, an honorary life member of Ralph Shirley American Legion Post #46 in Conway, a member of Eastern Slope Lodge #2055 B.P.O.E. in Conway and a member of the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of the North Conway Country Club and former president. Mr. O'Brien was very active in the community, having served on the Conway Planning Board for five years; he was in his second three-year term with the Conway Board of Selectmen and he served nine years with the Conway School Board and three years with the Conway Municipal Budget Committee. He was also very active with the local Dinner Bell for five years. In the 1960s he was a high school basketball referee in Northern New Hampshire. He played on the Lancaster Royals baseball team of the Central NH League and was also their manager. Mr. O'Brien was an avid sports fan, a New York Yankees fan and a golfer. He always walked, exercised and knew how important it was to keep in shape. The family includes two sisters, Letitia O. Rollo of Portsmouth and Phyllis Stinehour of West Lebanon; a brother, John V. O'Brien of Lakeland, Fla.; three aunts, Yvonne Roy of Whitefield, Phyllis Shevlin of Berlin and Gloria O'Brien of Rochester; his godchild, Kathryn Moores of Manchester; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 8 in Our Lady of the Mountains Church in North Conway. Burial will be in St. Matthew's Cemetery in Whitefield later in the spring. There were no visiting hours. Donations may be made to Our Lady of the Mountains Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1199, Intervale, NH 03845-1199 or to the charity of one's choice. The Furber and White Funeral Home in North Conway is in charge of arrangements. John Viator Gardener, fisherman, fixer-upper STARK -- John Viator, 66, of Paris Road in Stark, died at his residence on Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 after a lengthy illness, with his family by his side. Born on July 29, 1938 in Gloucester, Mass., he was the son of the late John and Evelyn (MacDonald) Viator. He had been a resident of Stark for the past 18 years, coming from New Bedford, Mass. He was a cook for the Merchant Marines when he was younger. After that he began his own painting business, called John & Sons, and was a self-employed painter for many years. He was known as a ÒMcGuyverÓ type; he could fix anything from nothing. He loved gardening and walking others through his garden. He enjoyed fishing and lobstering. He still loved to cook and had a great love for animals. John's family members include his loving companion of 37 years, Virginia Morgan; six children, Tammie Newland of Richmond, Va., Jennifer Morgan of Manchester, Melanie Wentworth of Stark, Cheryl Hawkins of Groveton, John Raymond of Lancaster and Nona Murphy of Springfield; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Delphine Viator of Thomaston, Me. and Nina Piroso of Concord; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours were held on Monday, Jan. 10 at the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at the Funeral Home with the Rev. James Michaels, pastor of the Assembly of God Church, Lancaster, officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in the Emerson Road Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the John Viator Memorial Fund, c/o Berlin City Bank, 3 State Street, Groveton, NH 03582. To send the family condolences via the online guest book, go to www.legacy.com Margaret I. Wentworth Waumbek Hotel waitress GORHAM -- Margaret I. Wentworth, 70, died on Jan. 5, 2005 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, after a three-week battle with heart disease. She was born in Jefferson on April 14, 1934, the daughter of Clinton and Isabel (Hartford) McIntire. Mrs. Wentworth was raised in Jefferson and attended schools in Jefferson and Lancaster, graduating in 1952. After graduation, she worked as a waitress at the Waumbek Hotel in Jefferson, the Hillsborough Club in Pompano Beach, Fla., and restaurants in Gorham for many years. Family members include her husband, Charles Wentworth of Gorham; a brother, Lucius McIntire of Jefferson; two sisters, Sandra Bombard of Gorham and Joy Souza of Franklin, Mass.; two daughters, Kathleen Finnigan and Leslie Paine of Berlin; grandchildren, Steven Jordan of Gorham, Abigail and Andrew Paine of Berlin; and several nieces and nephews. Her eldest daughter, Joanne Jordan and her parents died previously. A funeral service was held on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 8 at the Bryant Funeral Home in Gorham. Relatives and friends were invited to call at the funeral home on Saturday afternoon, prior to the service. Donations may be made to the recent tsunami survivors in Southeast Asia through the American Red Cross.