Earl Spofford Packard

Rochester NH- Earl Spofford Packard of Rochester passed away peacefully on February 4th after a brief illness. Born in Portland, ME on June 3, 1922 he was the son of the late Ralph and Lena (Spofford) Packard. He was a resident of Rochester for more than 40 years. Earl was a pulp and paper chemist from shortly after graduation from the University of Maine in 1950 until his retirement from Spaulding Fibre Corporation. Prior to attending college, he served in the U.S. Army during WWII, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart during combat operations in France and Germany. Outside of work and family, his primary interests were playing golf with friends and family, at least until failing knees forced him to seek other ways to spend time in the woods, and collecting minerals. He was active for many years in the southeastern NH Mineral Club and served the Club in many capacities, including as president. He was also active in the Salmon Falls River Watershed Association. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Melvina (McLafferty) Packard; sons, Alan and Bruce; their wives, Patricia (Mattina) and Sabrina; three grandchildren, John and Jake Pomelow, and Jessica (Pomelow) Perocchi; two great grandchildren, Aliyah and Sofia. He is also survived by his brother, Donald, his brother Gerald and his wife Claudia; his sister Dolores and her husband Myron Greenlaw. He was predeceased by brothers, Roy and Ralph (Carlton), his sisters, Ruth,Barbara, and Patricia..He was blessed with many loving nieces and nephews from both the Packard and McLafferty families as well as many wonderful grandnieces and nephews. Both Earl and Melvina consider themselves fortunate also to be surrounded by many kind and generous friends and neighbors who share their fondness for games of dominoes, mineral collecting ,and tea and freshly baked cookies. A memorial service will be held Wednesday Feb. 8th at 11 am in the chapel of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, Rochester NH with Pastor Dan Huggard officiating. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service from 10- 11. Burial will be in the Maine State Veterans Cemetery later in the Spring. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Multiple Sclerosis Association, the American Heart Association ,the Southern NH Mineral Club Scholarship fund or the Charity of ones' choice. To view the online guestbook please go to www.edgerlyfh.com.