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 week 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.
Steven Winther Lindblom, 77, of Warner, died May 4, 2023. A children’s book author and illustrator with his life partner, True Kelley, he was also a scuba diving expert who wrote and published several books on advanced diving through his company, Airspeed Press. His manual, “The Oxygen Hacker’s Companion,” is still considered a classic of the diving world. One of his and True’s illustrated children’s books is called “Let’s Give Kitty a Bath!” He learned to fly airplanes and invented and manufactured an aviation repair tool while also freelance writing on aviation topics. (Legacy.com)
Avis M. (King) Malcuit, 72, of Raymond, died May 4, 2023. She was the last postmaster of Newton Junction Post Office and retired after well over 30 years in the U.S. Postal Service from Rye Beach Post Office. (Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, Amesbury, Mass.)
Robert J. Trottier, 97, of West Lebanon, died May 6, 2023. A U.S. Navy veteran, he attended barber school in Manchester and began a six-decade career as a barber in Hanover, including working at Walt and Ernie’s on Old Nugget Alley since 1957. He purchased the shop in 1981 and retired in 2005. He was a life member and the oldest member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in West Lebanon and a member of the American Legion in Lebanon. (Knight Funeral Home, White River Jct., Vt.)
Thomas M. “Tomaso” Schena, 43, of Newton, died May 5, 2023. He was well-known in the community for the sketches he drew of people he’d meet on the street. His obituary described him as a simple man who found great joy in his art and riding his bicycle. (Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home)
Sister Mary Terence (Dorothy) Gallagher, 91, of Manchester, a Sister of Mercy for 72 years, died May 8, 2023. She taught in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and California. In New Hampshire, she taught at St. Patrick School, Nashua; St. Mary Academy, Dover; St. Mary School, Franklin; St. Mary School, Claremont; Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Westside Regional Catholic, Manchester. She retired from teaching in 2001 and volunteered as a senior companion with the New Hampshire Catholic Charities Community Action Program until her retirement in 2009. (Carrier Family Funeral Home & Crematory)
Catherine D. Chingros, 82, of Salem, died May 7, 2023. She was a music teacher in Dracut and Lowell, Mass., high schools and taught piano privately for more than 65 years. She was known for her strict style of teaching but was also known to yield results. Many of her students had careers in music, and one former unnamed student won a Grammy. (Carrier Family Funeral Home & Crematory)
Shirley Henderson Currier, 87, of Andover, died May 5, 2023. She helped start the weekly Andover Elementary School ski program, which continues to this day. She and Ella Phelps ran the Village Store from 1969 to 1989, later working at Cricenti’s Market in New London until she retired. She was treasurer of the Andover Fourth of July committee for more than 30 years, treasurer of the Andover Historical Society, a member of the Andover Service Club, town treasurer and Andover School District treasurer for the past 16 years. (Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service)
Joseph D. Trisciani, 88, of Manchester, died May 8, 2023. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Webster Council Troop 290, and was registered with Swift Water Girl Scout Council. He was employed with New Hampshire College as a carpenter in the maintenance department. After retiring, he worked with the RSVP Fixit Corps through Southern N.H. Services. He also served as a crossing guard at the corner of Page and Hanover streets near Manchester’s Weston Elementary School. (Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center)
Erline McBurney Jesseman, 88, of Landaff, died May 8, 2023. She was a nurse at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro and then became a pediatric nurse at Denver Children’s Hospital in Colorado. She returned to New Hampshire and was a nurse for Littleton Hospital, eventually for Dr. Caswell and Dr. Arbunkle. She served on the Littleton Regional Hospital board of trustees for several years and was chairman for three years. She was chairman of North Country Home Health Agency, president of Friends and Council, treasurer of The Shared Ministry, a member of the Church Council for many years, and on the original board of the Boys and Girls Club of the North Country. (Legacy.com)
Virginia “Ginger” C. (Garfi) Famisan, 68, of Litchfield, died May 4, 2023. She taught preschool for 19 years, first at Kermit Kiddie Kollege and later at Country Bear Preschool, both in Hudson. She was known as “Miss Ginger” to her students. (Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home)
Bob Harris, 85, of Goffstown, died May 6, 2023. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a free-lance writer for several New Hampshire newspapers under the byline of “Woods & Waters” and “Fish Tales.” He was a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and held leadership positions with Cub Scout Pack 102 in Pinardville. He was a merit badge councilor for Daniel Webster Council, BSA for over 25 years. He was a founding member of Salmon Unlimited, publicizing and supporting the introduction of Coho Salmon to New Hampshire waters. (French & Rising Funeral Home)
Richard W. Atkinson Jr., 74, of Antrim, died May 5, 2023. He was a driver licensing officer and then worked for First Student Bus Company, retiring this past June. He was a member of the Antrim Fire Department for many years and was instrumental in starting the Antrim Rescue Squad. (Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service)
Viola Malachuk, 98, of Peterborough, died May 8, 2023. She and her husband launched and grew a thriving retail jewelry business in Plainfield, N.J., from 1950 to 1966, then created a religious publishing venture that yielded more than 250 titles and 180 million books in print. She worked full time as senior editor, focusing on charismatic renewal. They retired from publishing in 1983 and moved to Peterborough, where she served in leadership roles at the Monadnock Congregational Church and the Peterborough Woman’s Club, serving as president from 1988 to 1992. (Jellison Funeral Home)
Eunice F. “Tommy” Richards, 88, of Canaan, died May 7, 2023. At age 75, she graduated from Norwich University with an associate of arts degree. She was a bookkeeper for several small businesses, the Spa Restaurant, and several local loggers and others. She would also do tax returns for many friends and neighbors. She was a member of the Canaan Historical Society, the Canaan Border Riders snowmobile club, Americorps, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Grace United Methodist Church, organizing the Sugar on Snow event annually. She also volunteered at the Alice Ward Library. (Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home)
Joseph J. Simpson, 93, of Durham, died May 6, 2023. He was a career U.S. Naval officer, serving in World Was II, Korea and Vietnam, retiring in 1974. He had roles and with several companies involved in nuclear power projects. He was an active member of the Nashua Country Club, Exchange Club of Nashua, Chicago Yacht Club and Milwaukee Yacht Club and most recently the Cocheco Country Club in Dover. (Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory)
Richard Paul Fleming, 75, of Lee, died May 5, 2023. A U.S. Army veteran during the Vietnam War, he also served with the 397 Medical Detail (Helicopter Ambulance) with N.H. Army National Guard, Concord, as its utility helicopter crew chief. He then enlisted with the N.H. Air National Guard at Pease and was an aircraft maintenance craftsman on KC 135 refueling planes. He helped form Boy Scout Troop 459 and served as a scoutmaster. (Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory)
Leona Mae Drew, 96, of Derry, died May 4, 2023. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, she was a rural bible teacher in northern New England. She helped co-lead the girls camp at Rumney Bible Conference for many years. She then taught at the Highland-Goffe’s Falls School in Manchester, retiring after more than 20 years. (Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium)
Florence (Greene) Freese, 98, of Pittsfield, died May 7, 2023. The wife of George E. Freese Jr., she was involved in the family business, Globe Manufacturing Co., working as a ski wear designer and production manager. She retired in 1975. She was a member of the Pittsfield Women of Rotary, Pittsfield Historical Society, First Congregational Church of Pittsfield, and Town Bicentennial chairman in 1982. She was an active volunteer at the Pittsfield Clothes Closet as well as the Pittsfield Food Pantry. She was a voter checklist worker for local and federal elections for many years. She and her husband, state Sen. George E. Freese Jr., were Pittsfield Citizens of the Year in 1997. (Roan Family Funeral Home – Still Oaks Chapel)
Richard Campbell Levis, 67, of Lee, died May 4, 2023. He was a former owner of Ledgewood Farm in Epping and grew fruits and vegetables, sold wood, and gave hayrides and sleigh rides. (Stockbridge Funeral Home)
WORDS OF WISDOM: “I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living life, a man who had good friends, fine family – and I don’t think I could ask for anything more than that, actually.” – Frank Sinatra, Dec. 12, 1915, to May 14, 1998