Bernard Durant

ROCHESTER ; Bernard A. "Red" Durant, LT. Col (ret), 85, of Willey Street, died Thursday, March 19, 2009.Red was born on Sept. 18, 1923, in Berwick, Maine. He was the son of the late William and Maude (Wakefield) Durant.Red attended and graduated from Spaulding High School. He lived in a house on Willey Street that he and his father built.After graduation, he joined the Army Air Corp and flew fighters in China during World War II. After the war, Red stayed in the Air Force for 25 years and traveled all over the world with his family. He was also involved in the USAF Pistol shooting team.In 1966, Red retired from the USAF as a Lt. Col. and came back to Willey Street in Rochester, where he again took up carpentry until he retired again in 1981.In between his working, Red was involved with the Kiwanis and became the Lt. Gov for the New England Region. He was also a member of the Hackle & Tackle club for many years. To say Red was a serious hunter and fisherman would be an understatement. He was a Life Member of the NRA and was also a member of the Republican National Committee.Members of his family include his two sons, Alan S. Durant and his wife, Linda, of Farmington and Bernard W. Durant of Rochester; his daughter, Cheryl Weber and her husband, Jeff; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandchild, seven brothers and sisters and his wife of 56 years, "Lena Babe."We have lost our member of America's Greatest Generation.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover NH 03820.Calling hours will be held Sunday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester NH 03867.Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.Burial will be in the Rochester Cemetery in the Spring at a date to be determined.Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits