Obituaries

Mar 18, 2026

Cecelia Mae Smith, 84, of Rochester, NH, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, surrounded by the family she cherished. A woman of deep faith and boundless creativity, Cecelia devoted her life to serving others and left a lasting legacy of kindness across generations.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Cecelia graduated from Anacostia High School with the class of 1959....

Mar 16, 2026

Jean Jones, 76, of Rochester, NH, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, at Hyder House in Dover, NH surrounded by her family. Born on August 18, 1949, in Dover, NH, she was the daughter of Mike Adams and Mary (Tsoukalas) Adams. Jean was raised locally and graduated from Dover High School with the Class of 1967. She later met...

Mar 11, 2026

Wayne Colby, a lifelong resident of Gonic, NH passed away after a period of declining health on March 11, 2026. He was born on November 21, 1946, to George and Elizabeth Colby.

Wayne graduated from Spaulding High School and then enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served with honor. Wayne was a Vietnam Veteran and proudly flew the Marine Corp...

Mar 11, 2026

Ernest "Chip" W. Gauthier, 81 years old, of Rochester, NH, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from declining health.  He was born July 29, 1944, in Rochester, NH.

Ernest grew up in the local area.  After graduating he left to go into the Navy.  He served 20 years and retired back to Rochester.  Ernest then went to work at Thompson...

Mar 7, 2026

Mar 7, 2026

Shane Everett Bacon, 53, of Rochester, NH passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, March 7, 2026.Shane was born and raised in Atkinson, NH where he attended Atkinson Academy before going on to graduate from Timberlane Regional High School. Growing up in Atkinson, he formed lifelong friendships and developed the strong sense of family and community that remained important...

Mar 5, 2026

Rochester – Helen A. Gray, 81, passed away with her family by her side, Thursday March 5, 2026, at Wentworth Douglass Hospital following a period of failing health.

Born June 1, 1944, in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late Roland and Arlene (Berry) Gray. Helen grew up both in New Hampshire and Maine, but Rochester is where she always...

Mar 3, 2026

Rochester, NH – Walter E. Winship Jr., 82, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, at his home.

Walter was born on January 12, 1944, in Eliot, Maine, the son of Irene Bishop and Walter E.

Winship Sr. He was raised in Eliot and graduated from Eliot High School in 1963. Following high school, he entered the automotive field, developing mechanical skills...

Mar 3, 2026

Rochester – Robert D. Cook, 84, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.

Born October 18, 1941, in Brentwood, NH, he was the son of John and Louise (Dionizo) Cook, Sr.

Bob worked at Simplex for over 40 years and owned and operated Cook’s Overhead Doors throughout his career. He was a former call firefighter in...

Feb 28, 2026

Allan Lee Weymouth, 65 years old, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Allan was born on December 5th, 1961, to John Weymouth and Nellie (Perkins) Weymouth. He was always talking about what great parents he had. He was very proud and joyous when he shared stories of his childhood. He loved how close...

Feb 27, 2026

Eliot, ME – Thomas “Doc Clayton, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026, at York Hospital. Born and raised in Michigan in 1944 to the Late Thomas and Betty (Richardson) Clayton.

In 1957 his parents moved the family to Florida, where he attended Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL. He went on to graduate from Dunedin High School...

Feb 24, 2026

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Emerson H “Buzz” Bennett, Jr. made his final journey rejoining his family after passing away at his home in Rochester, NH.

Buzz was well known and had many friends throughout the Tri-City area. He was an entrepreneur having owned and operated numerous businesses notably Two Hearts Bridal Shop, Two Bee’s Consignment Shop, a curiosity shop as...

Feb 19, 2026

Jillian Shillaber, 44, passed away Thursday February 19, 2026, at her home following a two-year battle with a rare form of brain cancer.

Born September 7, 1981, she was the daughter of Steven Luongo and Lois Flood.

Jillian was a woman of deep faith who loved God and her family. After her relationship with Jesus, her husband and children were her world,...

Feb 18, 2026

Shannon Houle, 34 years old, of Dover, NH, passed away on February 18, 2026, at the Wentworth Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH.  She was born in Rochester, NH on January 22, 1992, in Rochester, NH.  She was the daughter of Mr. Glen Houle and Mrs. Christine Dame.

A graveside service will be held on June 13, 2026, at 10 AM at...

Feb 17, 2026

Wayne Scott Bourque, 68, passed away peacefully at home on February 17th, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, with his beloved wife, Margaret, by his side.

Wayne was born on March 12th, 1957, in Dover, New Hampshire, to John and Anita Bourque. He is survived by his brothers, Paul, Chris, and Brian, and was predeceased by his siblings...

Feb 15, 2026

Susan Marie Boardman

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants.” – Psalm 116:15

Susan Marie Boardman, 67, a faithful servant of Jesus, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 15, 2026. After courageously battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Sue finished her race with remarkable bravery, unwavering faith, and radiant joy. Even...

Feb 12, 2026

Frank Nelson passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, after a period of declining health.

Frank was born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, to Charles Lucien Nelson and Zelda (Ainsworth) Nelson. As a teenager, he moved with his family to New Hampshire, where he later made his home in Rochester.

Frank had a deep love for his wife and family. He especially enjoyed...

Feb 11, 2026

Douglas Hume, 68, passed away peacefully at home in Strafford, NH with his family by his side on February 11, 2026. Doug was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, teacher, coach, and bass fisherman.

He was born to John (Jack) and Norma Hume of Malden, MA where he went to school and excelled in hockey. He attended the University of Massachusetts...

Feb 10, 2026

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, wife, and grandmother Terry Dwyer, on February 10 at the age of 66.

Terry was the kind of person who could light up any room she entered. Truly the life of the party, she had a gift for bringing people together—whether through...

Feb 7, 2026

Henry Ralph Columbare Jr., 77, of Strafford, NH, passed away on the morning of February 7.

Henry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Wendy Columbare (Lacroix); his son, Henry R. Columbare III; his daughter, Kerri L. Columbare-Fitzpatrick; his son-in-law, James Fitzpatrick; and his three granddaughters, Mackenzie, Dylan, and Raegan. He was predeceased by his father, Henry Sr., and his...