Notable NH Deaths: Veterans From Concord, Salem; A Bedford Educator; A Londonderry Reverend

By InDepth NH

InDepthNH.org scans the websites of New Hampshire funeral homes each week and selects at random some of our friends, relatives and neighbors to feature in this column. The people listed here passed away during the previous weeks and have some public or charitable connection to their community. InDepthNH.org is now offering obituaries through the Legacy.com service. We view this as part of our public service mission. Click here or on the Obituaries tab at the top of our home page to learn more. And if you know of someone from New Hampshire who should be featured in this column, please send your suggestions to NancyWestNews@gmail.com.

Bruce Allen Barnard, 84, of Hebron, died July 14, 2025. He served as a Hebron selectman for 30 years, member of the conservation commission for 27 years, cemetery sexton for 15 years, acting highway supervisor for two years and highway supervisor for four years. He was also a forest fire warden, Historic District Commission member, Heritage Commission member, Trustee of the Trust Funds, library trustee, Zoning Board of Adjustment member, Hazard Mitigation Committee member, and fire department volunteer. He taught mathematics for several years, then became a quality control manager, plant manager, and business owner for more than 50 years designing and installing septic systems. (Mayhew Funeral Home)

Arthur John Bloomfield, 94, of South Hampton, died July 6, 2025. A U.S. Army veteran, he was a former San Francisco writer on music and food, serving as a senior music critic for the San Francisco Examiner from 1965-79, covering 34 of the San Francisco Opera’s 56 seasons. He was a reporter for the San Francisco Call-Bulletin and later a music critic for the News Call-Bulletin. He was a correspondent for Opera (London). His many books include three editions on the history of the San Francisco Opera, a best-selling San Francisco restaurant guidebook, and a book of recollections and restaurant reviews. (Brewitt Funeral Home)

Robert L. Chadbourn Jr., 73, of Strafford, died June 30, 2025. He flew private planes and worked for Eastern Airlines. He was owner of Chadbourn’s Restaurant in Northwood, which was briefly sold out of the family, then reopened in 1997 under his supervision. (Legacy.com)

Arthur T. Connolly Sr., 91, of Deerfield, died July 11, 2025. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was known as “Coach Conn” coaching cross country and track at Bishop Brady High School in Concord and other institutions for approximately 30 years. He began his career as a social worker, then worked as a computer analyst. He and his family lived on a farm in Prince Edward Island for five years, then returned to Deerfield in 1978. (Brewitt Funeral Home)

Irene Alice Couture, 90, of Bedford, and formerly of Manchester and Hooksett, died June 28, 2025. She was a stay-at-home mom who at age 42 studied for and passed the state insurance exam, which allowed her to take over and successfully run the L. J. Messier Agency, Inc. She also taught CCD, led Girl Scout troops at St. Peter’s Orphanage and St. John the Baptist Parish, was active in the Queen City Lions and Quota service clubs, as well as CMC Associates, organized baby showers that benefitted Our Place, was a “grandparent” to first and second graders in the Hooksett elementary school, taught knitting to third graders and led an adult knitting group at the New Durham Public Library. (J. N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home)

Robert E. Curtis, 78, of Laconia, died July 7, 2025. He worked for Laconia Savings Bank, later Bank of New Hampshire, for more than 40 years and eventually became an executive vice president. He was treasurer of the Lakes Region Red Cross and past president of the Lakes Region Family YMCA. (Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services)

Gary X. Cutter, 89, of Deering, died July 4, 2025. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, he was known to many as “The Video Fisherman.” He spent countless hours exploring the woods and waters of New Hampshire, particularly in Pittsburg and Lake Winnipesaukee. His post-retirement years were marked by his creative work documenting these adventures, earning him the nickname “The Video Fisherman.” In collaboration with N.H. Fish and Game, he produced video content that celebrated the sport of fishing and the beauty of New Hampshire’s landscapes. He worked as a skilled mechanic at Monadnock Paper Mill, Osram Sylvania, and the Goodell Company. He volunteered for many years with the Antrim Fire Department. (Legacy.com)

Mari Ellen DeBlois, 65, of Goffstown, died July 13, 2025. She was a credit and housing counselor at Consumer Credit Counseling Services and in 2005 joined The Way Home, supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness in southern New Hampshire. In May 2022, she worked for AHEAD, where she served as the organization’s lead expert in foreclosure prevention counseling. She was co-president of the Parish of the Transfiguration Women’s Club for more than 30 years. (Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory)

Barbara Varnum Draper, 78, of Nottingham, died July 2, 2025. She was a real estate broker for more than 50 years, starting a business with a partner. She worked at UNH for the Center for Family Business and the CEO Forum. After retiring, she continued to work with a group of CEOs through the Granite State Peer Group. (Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory)

Judith Ellen (Matson) Fry, 86, of Alton, died June 28, 2025. She was a volunteer for more than 50 years in Alton, serving on the Downtown Revitalization Committee, helping create the Alton B&M Railroad Park behind town hall. She worked with the East Alton Meeting House Society, the East Alton Fire Association, and the Alton Historical Society. She was an integral part of the Knights Pond Conservation Area in East Alton, coordinating the trail monitoring program for more than 30 years. She was a volunteer at Alton Elementary School for more than 30 years. She was Alton Citizen of the Year in 2014. (Peaslee Funeral Home)

Marisol Fuentes-Huaracha, 25, of Berlin, was murdered July 6, 2025, at the restaurant she managed. Her death has sparked outrage in the community about a court system that let an abusive ex-husband out on bail. Born in a small town in Mexico, Marisol will be repatriated to her home in Jalisco, Mexico, and laid to rest at a later date. She was employed by the Guzman Hospitality Group as a manager at La Casita Mexican Restaurant in Berlin. Berlin Police Chief Jeff Lemoine has reportedly said his department is reviewing its actions regarding the events leading up to Marisol’s murder. (Bryant Funeral Homes)

Joseph W. Gagnon Jr., 82, of Salem, died July 12, 2025. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a Salem selectman from 1986 to 1992 and was the longtime president and owner of Granite State Mortgage in Salem. Earlier in his career, he was international sales manager for Honeywell. (Carrier Family Funeral Home)

The Rev. Monsignor Donald J. Gilbert, 84, of Londonderry, died July 7, 2025. He served in many parishes around New Hampshire, including Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Hudson; Saint Pius X Parish, Manchester; Saint Jude Parish, Londonderry; Saint Patrick, Nashua; Saint Patrick Parish, Newport; Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Meredith; Saint Augustine Parish, Manchester; Sacred Heart Parish, Concord; Saint Paul Parish and Mission, Candia; and Saint Matthew Parish, Windham, retiring in 2008. He served the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal for over 45 years with his first appointment as judge in 1975. He also was appointed to several Diocese positions, including as Judicial Vicar. In retirement he served at Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish, Londonderry. (Peabody Funeral Homes)

Lawrence Winfield Guild II, 90, of Laconia, died July 4, 2025. He formed his own company, Hampshire Textiles, and produced the fabric for Kermit the Frog and other Muppet characters. Upon his retirement, Henson Associates commissioned a custom lookalike Muppet. He served on the Gilford Volunteer Fire Department and was a Gilford selectman, budget committee member, and Board of Fire Engineers member. He was a director of Village Bank & Trust. (Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services)

John W. Herbert, 82, of Salisbury, died June 28, 2025. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and dedicated 28 years to active duty and reserves from 1962 to 1989. He was a selectman and town moderator in Salisbury. (Legacy.com)

Robert L Keniston Jr., 92, of Lee, died July 1, 2025. He was Lee’s second police chief, serving from 1965 until 1968. He became a deputy sheriff of Strafford County from 1969 to 1972 and worked for Foss Motors for 20 years. (Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory)

Herbert E. Little, 97, of Concord, died July 6, 2025. A U.S. Navy veteran, he worked for 50 years for Merrimack County Saving Bank in Concord. starting as a bank teller in 1951 and advancing to become president and chairman of the board. He served on boards and committees including for St. Paul's Church, Concord Hospital and the Capital Region Healthcare Corp., Family Financial Counseling Services, Rotary Club of Concord, N.H. Association of Savings Banks and the N.H. Bankers Association. He was a strong advocate for the N.H. Community Loan Fund and helped create the N.H. Higher Education Assistance Foundation. (Legacy.com)

Edward J. Main, 92, of Swanzey, died July 10, 2025. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was remembered by many as "Coach," one of the first faculty members of Monadnock Regional High School in 1962. He taught history until 1968, then added the role of junior high guidance counselor and served as athletic director from 1972 until 1981. He was the first coach to be inducted into the MRHS Athletic Hall of Fame. He retired in 1993 after 31 years at the school, 26 of them as a baseball coach, four years as JV coach and 22 years as varsity coach. The baseball field at the school was named for him. In 1989 he was inducted into the N.H. Coaches Hall of Fame and in 1991 into the Keene State College Hall of Fame. (Foley Funeral Home)

Carol A. (Bickford) McKenney, 70, of Rochester, died July 11, 2025. She taught for 42 years at Somersworth Middle School, retiring in 2022. She and a colleague established and led a hiking club, which regularly took students on hiking trips. She coached a variety of sports for many years at both the middle and high school levels. She also volunteered at Saint Elizabeth Seton School, serving as coach of the track program, winning a state championship in the first year. She was a member of the Rochester Runners and also competed in triathlons, including a bicycle race to the summit of Mt. Washington. She cycled across the country from the Pacific Ocean in Oregon to the Atlantic Ocean in Rye on a tandem bicycle to celebrate her honeymoon. She was inducted into the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2015. (Grondin Funeral Home)

Daniel J. McKenney, 71, of Manchester, died July 13, 2025. He owned and operated Merrimack Mortgage Company for 15 years. He was a former president of the N.H. Mortgage Bankers Association and was chairman of the New Hampshire branch of the American Heart Association. (Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory)

Bruce Michael Phillips, 64, of Auburn, died July 3, 2025. He dedicated 38 years to the Auburn Fire Department, where he was fire chief for 24 years, the longest tenure in the department’s history. He began his firefighting career with the Derry Fire Department in 1980 before joining the Manchester Fire Department in 1986. He rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant, retiring in 2011. (Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center)

William Edward Roberts, 98, of Hinsdale, died July 9, 2025. He served in the New Hampshire Legislature for two terms and was a member of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee. He also worked on the Wantastiquet Region River Subcommittee and the Connecticut River Joint Commission. He was a Hinsdale selectman in Hinsdale for two terms, member and chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and was a member of the Fire Department for 22 years. He was honored as a Hinsdale Historical Society member in 2016 for his work on the restoration of the barn at the Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale House. He served on the Hinsdale Conservation Commission for more than 10 years. He was a council member of the Friends of Pisgah State Park for eighteen years and served several years as president. (Legacy.com)

Patrick C. Sheeran, 79, of Hooksett, died July 8, 2025. A U.S. Army veteran, he began his journalism career as a reporter and an editor at Gannett Co. newspapers in Rochester, N.Y., Boise, Idaho, and White Plains, N.Y. He joined the New Hampshire Union Leader in 1989 and served as city editor until 1999. He then served as Sunday editor before becoming a managing editor. He retired from the Union Leader in 2009 as a managing editor for operations. (Legacy.com)

Carroll “Pete” Leslie Thompson, 92, of North Sutton, died July 5, 2025. A U.S. Army veteran, he joined the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department in 1945. Through the years he moved up the ranks and became fire chief in 1974, serving for 21 years as chief. He and Morris Randle established the Kearsarge Mutual Aid Fire Association. He worked for the Sutton Highway, New London Highway, and Mitchell Brothers as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator. He then worked for Laurie Poole as a tractor-trailer driver. He also worked for the state Department of Transportation for 28 years. (Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service)

Christy Marie Whipple, 55, of Newport, died July 12, 2025. She was founder and head of school at Newport Montessori School. She taught and coached cheerleading and softball at Newport High School. (Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home)

WORDS OF WISDOM: “Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Henry James, American-British author, April 15, 1843, to Feb. 28, 1916

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.