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InDepthNH.org
Notable New Hampshire Deaths: 20-Year Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin
By Nancy West,
5 days ago
User-posted content
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. 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.
Lucille H. Boucher , 92, of Hudson, Aug. 2, 2024. She was president of the Hudson Seniors Club and a member of the state’s Elderly Advisory Council in Concord. She was co-chairman of the committee behind Hudson’s huge 250th Anniversary bash in 1996. She was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Hudson for helping at Old Home Days and was the recipient of the Hudson Grange No. 1 Community Citizen of the Year Award in 1996. ( Farwell Funeral Home )
Thomas Joseph Burke , 73, of Penacook, died Aug. 12, 2024. He retired from the New Hampshire State Police in 2002 with the rank of sergeant. He then served as director of transportation for the Merrimack Valley School District, and later was a bus driver. He was a coach for ICB Basketball and Penacook Pride AAU Basketball. He was recently recognized as the Concord Monitor’s Home Town Hero and was to be inducted into the Merrimack Valley Hall of Fame. ( Waters Funeral Home )
Jane Hamilton Christie , 83, of Kingston, died Aug. 12, 2024. She was director of educational programs (1979-1997) for the Connecticut Humanities Council, director of advancement for Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Conn., (1997-2007), and founder and director of “City Initiative,” a long-term musical partnership in New Haven public schools. In Kingston, she was a board member of New Hampshire Humanities Council, the Kingston Heritage Commission, the Kingston Historical Museum, and both the Nichols Memorial Library and the Kingston Community Library. She served for three years on the Kingston Heritage Commission and was a board member of the Friends of the Kingston Historical Museum for 12 years. ( Brewitt Funeral Home )
George Dinsmore Jr ., 92, of Windham, died Aug. 13, 2024. A veteran of the Korean War, he was a Windham selectman from 1969-1974 and served on the planning board for many years. He was in the construction business for more than 50 years and developed neighborhoods including Bramley Hill in Windham and Samoset Drive in Salem. He co-owned Dunkin Beach for several summers in the 1970s, opened Coldwell Banker Dinsmore Associates real estate with his son Brad, and operated the Windham Exxon with his son Gardner. He and his wife Marion were members of the Windham Historic Committee, which restored the Searles School and Chapel. ( Carrier Family Funeral Home )
George Frank Dykstra , 80, of Chichester, died Aug. 8, 2024. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard and taught at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, serving as Dean of Extension and as coordinator for the General Motors Automotive Service Education Program. He retired in 2002 and was then an ASE Education Foundation field manager. He served on the N.H. New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board for 20 years, the NHAEF Board of Directors, and the Chichester Board of Adjustment. ( Roan Family Funeral Home )
Ruth L. Griffin , 99, of Portsmouth, died Aug. 10, 2024. A Republican state Executive Councilor from District 3 for 20 years, she retired, and Chris Sununu succeeded her in the position, launching his political career to the governor’s office. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, called her “a pillar of the Portsmouth community. Her long record of public service is a model for many serving in office today. She was dedicated to the City of Portsmouth and to the people of New Hampshire … She will be deeply missed.” Her major legacy was serving 42 years on the Portsmouth Housing Authority board until 2020. A public apartment complex is named the Ruth Lewin Griffin Place apartments on Court Street. The bridge over Dover Bay between Newington and Dover is also named in her honor. She owned Half Acre Farm in downtown Portsmouth. A celebration of life is planned in the fall, and her burial will be private.
Richard P. Leahy , 73, of Laconia, died Aug. 12, 2024. He taught for 36 years, including social studies at Laconia High School, serving for many years as department head. He coached two Granite State Challenge championship teams, the LHS golf team, and was adviser to the LHS Chess Club and Student Council. ( Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home )
Karen Ann (Trainor) Mercer , 68, of Hudson, died Aug. 11, 2024. She was a professor of dental hygiene at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, where she received the Faculty Advisory Award. ( Davis Funeral Home)
Donald V. Moran , 90, of Stratham, died Aug. 12, 2024. A U.S. Navy veteran, he owned and operated Moran Fuel for many years. ”Keep Warm with Don” was his motto. He owned Emm & Kate’s, an antique shop in Exeter as well as several service stations and a video store. He coached Little League in Stratham. ( Stockbridge Funeral Home )
Trudy Morris , 72, of Hampton, died Aug. 13, 2024. She taught third grade at Central School in Hampstead for 13 years, then served as assistant principal for two years. She became principal in Henniker for one year, then taught pre-algebra and algebra at Londonderry Middle School for 18 years. (Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center)
Roger Wheeler Sanborn , 76, of Boscawen, died Aug. 8, 2024. He was a dairy farmer who served Boscawen as a member of the zoning board, agriculture committee, Old Home Day, 1913 Library Committee, Boscawen Bicentennial Committee, Community Gardens, and as a longtime selectman. He also served on the Boscawen Fire Department, retiring as captain. ( Legacy.com )
Douglas Anthony Yennaco , 86, of Windham, died Aug. 12, 2024. He was a Windham selectman for many years and a member of the local Lions Club. He owned Atlantic Awning Company. (Carrier Family Funeral Home )
WORDS OF WISDOM : “What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits.” – Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist, July 26, 1875, to June 6, 1961
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