In Memoriam

Sherman E. Stickney

Sherman E. Stickney, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday November 28th, 2020 at his home, surrounded by family.

Sherman was born in Concord, New Hampshire on July 6th, 1927, the first of six children born to Sherman and Flora (Potter) Stickney. He attended Concord High School, class of 1946. He worked at Page Belting Company in Concord for over 20 years. He worked for a short period at Goulet Plumbing Supply in Concord. He then went on to work for Concord Electric Company (now Unitil) where he retired after 22 and a half years.

Sherman was a Mason with the Horace Chase Lodge No. 72 F&AM for 70 years, where he served as treasurer for a number of those years. He was very active in the community. He was a member of the Boscawen Cemetery Committee as well as the Boscawen historical society, where he served as secretary for some time. He was a lifetime member of the Mascoma Lake Association.

Sherman was a kind gentleman who always looked on the bright side of things. He enjoyed traveling and documenting his adventures on camera. He always liked his desserts and he never met a dirt road he didn’t love. You wouldn’t win a cribbage game against him and his stacked cordwood piles were pristine. In recent years he has dedicated much of his time to the restoration and preservation of the Stickney Hill Cemetery with his son Wayne.

Sherman is survived by his sons, Ronald Stickney; Wayne Stickney and his wife Katharine; and his daughter Linda Quimby and her husband Steven; granddaughters, Arielle and Mallory Stickney; sister Jean Hunter and her husband Robert; and brother Kenneth Stickney and his wife Mina.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Millett Stickney; his son, David Stickney; and his brothers Lawrence, Paul, and Donald.

A private ceremony will be held this Thursday Dec 3rd at Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations please be made to the Boscawen Historical Society 226 King Street, Boscawen, NH 03303 or at boscawenhistoricalsociety.com or the Ben Kilham Bear Center; care of Ben Kilham P.O. Box 37, Lyme, NH 03768. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to www.csnh.com.

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Published in Concord Monitor on Dec. 1, 2020.

Theodore J. Houston

HOUSTON, Theodore John Jr. “Ted” Age 90, died Tuesday, December 1, 2020, four days after suffering a stroke. He was born in Concord, NH February 2, 1930, the son of Theodore J. Houston, Sr. and Helen Kimball Houston.

Raised in Belmont, MA and spending summers with his grandparents in Farmington and Boscawen, NH, he graduated with the Belmont High School Class of 1947. He attended the University of New Hampshire but left after his freshman year to pursue military service. On completion of active duty he returned to UNH and Theta Chi fraternity, but finished his degree with the Plymouth Teachers College class of 1953. He remained in the U. S. Army Reserve for 34 years, retiring as a Sergeant Major in 1981.

Ted taught school and was principal of the Lincoln School in Lincoln, NH and was the first principal of the Maple Avenue School in Goffstown, NH. In 1960 he began teaching in the public schools in Newton, MA and remained there until his retirement in 1991. He loved teaching, trading in his administrative experience for a chance to remain in the classroom with his “kiddos.” His Plymouth classmates and his many teaching colleagues remained treasured friends throughout his life. While living in Massachusetts he became an avid Revolutionary War re-enactor, belonging to several 18th century re-enactment groups. He was a founding member of the Bedford Minuteman Company, rising to captain of the company and participating in events throughout the Northeast. Later he joined “Rochambeau’s Army” and participated in re-enactments as far away as Yorktown, Virginia and even Paris, France. An early proponent of recreational vehicles, he traveled extensively with the family throughout North America, as well as several trips to Europe and the Caribbean.

In 1968, he took his family north to Alaska in the day when such an adventure meant twelve flat tires and two broken wheels along the Alaska Highway. On settling in Boscawen he enjoyed an active retirement divided between community involvement, restoring his 18th century home, and travel. He served eight years as a Selectman and was instrumental in bringing the State Veterans Cemetery to Boscawen, a cause he dearly loved.

An active Free Mason for more than 65 years, he was Past Master of Parker Lodge No. 97 in North Woodstock, NH and a member of Scottish Rite. He was a recipient of the General John Stark Medal from the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire for service to New Hampshire Masonry. Throughout his life, Ted believed deeply in service to others, whether through teaching, the military, Masonry, volunteering with the Boy Scouts and the churches he belonged to, or by donating blood. From the first moment he could he was a consistent blood donor, giving dozens of blood units until advancing age forced him to stop. Then he found other ways to serve.

Late in life he spent more than 20 years volunteering in the Emergency Department at Concord Hospital in Concord, NH. Ted was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Cynthia A. Houston of Boscawen, and his sister Mary Ann Hermance of Weymouth, MA. He is also survived by three children, COL (ret.) James C. Allard and his wife Gail of Pittsfield, NH, Douglas M. Houston and his wife Suzanne of Farmington, NH, and Deborah Goodin and her husband Douglas of Andover, NH. He is further survived by two grandsons, Jason Allard and Maxwell Goodin, as well as a niece, Susan Leister of Williston, VT and nephew, David Hermance of Scituate, MA.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, services and interment at the State Veterans Cemetery are planned for May of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to the Boscawen Historical Society www.boscawenhistoricalsociety.com or the Scottish Rite Children’s Dyslexia Centers www.childrensdyslexiacenters.org/donate or consider becoming a blood donor www.redcrossblood.org Arrangements have been entrusted to Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium.

To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence or for more information, please visit www.phaneuf.net

View the online memorial for Theodore John Jr. “Ted” HOUSTON


Bridget Woods Carey

Bridget Woods Carey began her everlasting journey and joined her beloved husband of 58 years, her parents, siblings and friends Feb. 4, 2015.

Bridget “Betty” Woods Carey was born April 16, 1923, at Killylough, Tydavnet, County Monaghan, Ireland to Patrick and Cassie (McCaffrey) Woods, the oldest daughter of seven children. Raised on a farm, she gained an appreciation for hard work and love of learning from an early age. She excelled at school, she worked hard at home and was devoted to her faith. Through her love of learning Bridget yearned for discovery beyond the Emerald shores.

Intrigued by a childhood encounter with a relative who traveled abroad and returned wearing red lipstick, Betty’s adventurous spirit was inflamed. Her dreams prevailed as she journeyed to the United States in January 1948. At the end of her nine-day trans-Atlantic trip, standing at the railing of the ship in a light snowfall, she was awestruck by the city lights of the New York harbor. She was welcomed by relatives who acquainted her with the life in the city of New York and the culture of their Irish neighborhood, especially including going to dances. It was at a dance that she met Daniel Carey from County Donegal, Ireland, and they married in 1950. In November 1953, they moved to Boscawen, where they purchased and operated Carey’s Market for 43 years, making many friends as the store became part of the social fabric of the town.

As a business owner and a true woman of character, she lived by example – many around her observed and learned from her Irish temperament, her vigor, the lilt of her laughter. Her traditional greeting was “Take My Hand and Be My Friend.” She extended the warmth of her kitchen to others by preparing meals for many members of the community who may have needed support or comfort.

Among the many milestones of her life, Bridget became an American citizen in 1955, and was honored as Apple Fest Honorary Citizen of the Year in 1985, and Citizen of the Year in 1999 by the Town of Boscawen. She received an honorary high school diploma in 2003.

Her most treasured role was that of being a mother to eight children and beloved Mama to 21 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by her family: Mary Ann (Carey) Davis and husband Michael of Keene, Patrick Carey and his wife Andrea of Kennebunk, Maine, Robert Carey of Penacook, Kathleen Carey Harmon of West Barnstable, Mass., Daniel Carey of Boscawen, James Carey and his wife Tricia of Webster, Thomas Carey and his wife, Sarah, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Ellie Carey Morrill and her husband Robert of Boscawen, Sue and Steve Hayes of Northfield. She will also be remembered by numerous nieces and nephews in Ireland, the U.S. and abroad as well as friends and community members who lovingly also called her Mama.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wendell J. Butt Funeral Home, 42 Washington St., Penacook. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 9 Bonney St. Penacook. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery immediately followed by a reception in the Immaculate Conception Church hall. Friends are invited to attend the reception to honor Bridget’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Central Improvement Fund, Immaculate Conception Church 9 Bonney St., Penacook, 03303; United Church of Penacook, 21 Merrimack St., Penacook, 03303 or New Hampshire Food Bank, 62 West Brook St., Manchester, 03101. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/concordmonitor/obituary.aspx?n=bridget-woods-carey&pid=174091255&fhid=4836#sthash.ISHeF8u5.dpuf

Published in The Concord Monitor on Feb. 8, 2015


Ralph Clarke Harwood

Ralph Clarke Harwood was born in Concord on Sept. 18, 1945, the son of Ella Irene (Clarke) and Robert Harwood, who then was the interim pastor of the Penacook Congregational Church. He died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. Three years ago he was diagnosed with an untreatable and a debilitating illness, which physically impaired him but allowed him to keep mentally sharp. He chose to continue to live as he had, walking at least two miles per day, reading, lecturing on the history of Penacook, and working on a manuscript entitled “Two Rivers, Four Dams: The Past in Penacook.” As a boy he lived in Edgewood, R.I., and Columbia University in Manhattan, while summering in Boscawen with his grandmother Clarke. He attended Pembroke High School and graduated in 1964 from Concord High School. At UNH he represented student liberals on the University Ecumenical Council. As a young man he led youth programs at the Dover Universalist Church, where he was a member of Board of Trus tees. Later, he served on the New Hampshire and Vermont Unitarian and Universalist Religious Education Committee.

As a young man he was employed at the UNH Library, the York County News in Maine and Brentano’s bookstore in Boston. Later he was employed by the NH Hospital as a Youth Counselor and supervisor at the Philbrick Center, a NH diagnostic and treatment program for adolescents. He retired in 1999.

His love of East Asian landscape paintings drew him to read the Chinese classic of truth and virtue, the Tao Te Ching, which began his lifelong search for the meaning. He loved to design landscapes and was an authority on plants and trees. For many years he researched and wrote about meditation practices in Christianity and Buddhism. He believed meditation is therapeutic. Throughout his life he designed gardens and landscapes. Beginning in 1976, he became an avid photographer of tall ships. His ship photographs were displayed in many venues. He was an independent thinker, who valued knowledge and wisdom above all else. His library contained hundreds of books in which he wrote marginalia or on notes he inserted between the pages. In 1983, he was the discussion leader for the National Foundation for the Humanities ‘ pilot series on Walt Whitman and was an active participant in the NH Humanities Council programs. For nine year s he facilitated discussions of philosophy at the Socrates Discussion Groups in Border’s Bookstore in Concord.

He was a member of Heritage Concord from its inception, and in 1993 served on the Concord Master Plan advisory committee. In 2014, he was the Vice President of the Penacook Village Association. He was also a member of the Friends of the Boscawen Library, a member of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. He was a writer for the recently published Concord Historical Society’s Crosscurrents of Change of Concord NH in the 20th Century.

Ralph prized his friends: Laurence Saunders, Thomas Adams, and Ronald Converse whom he first met in 1964, and his roommate Jeff Bradshaw. Nearby cousins include Lois Bradley and Joy Olson in Penacook, Paul Bradley in Epsom and Gail and Don Bradley in Nashua. He also enjoyed his many friends throughout the city.

A private burial was held at the Clarke family plot in Maple Grove Cemetery in West Concord.

On Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, a memorial gathering of readings and music will be at 2 p.m. at the Concord Community Music School Recital Hall located at 23 Wall St., Concord.

Memorial donations may be made to the Concord Community Music School in his memory.

Published in The Concord Monitor on Dec. 11, 2014


James Folsom Colby 

On Thursday, June 19, 2014, surrounded by the comfort of family and friends, James Folsom Colby died peacefully after a period of failing health.

James was born on Nov. 22, 1919, in Webster, the son of former County Commissioner Joseph G. Colby and Ethel M. (Folsom) Colby.

The family moved to Boscawen in 1925 to the Enoch Gerrish farm on High Street. He attended school

at the little brick school on High Street and graduated from Penacook High School. After graduation, he attended the University of New Hampshire.

He and his brother Robert, who recently predeceased him, worked on the three family farms; Gerrish, Folsom and Choate. They also worked in their father’s many sawmills.

In 1949 he married Seamen 1st Class Kathleen Murray, daughter of Lester and Cora Murray. In 1950 he started Colby Woodworking Company, a woodworking shop that made boxes for the army. He also purchased a portable sawmill. The business, which now operates as Colby Lumber Company, has been continually operated for over 60 years.

He leaves three sons, Lester, Joseph and James, and their respective spouses, Agnes, Barbara and Lynn. He also leaves two daughters, Noel and Kathleen, and their spouses Gary Dickenson and Dr. James Paine. He leaves many nieces and nephews; eight grandchildren; and five great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his close and dear friend, Norma J. Reed.

He was predeceased by siblings, Robert, Charles, John, Edward, Mary and Charlotte; and his wife Kathleen.

James was a 78 year Grange member, and a 65 year member of the Odd Fellows. He was active in town politics, serving on the Boscawen budget committee, conservation committee, historical society and zoning board as well as the Penacook-Boscawen Water Commission. Although he cared greatly about Boscawen and all of the town activities, he was happiest while cruising a timberlot, or working on a land swap. He loved the land and felt equally at home in a hayfield or a woodlot.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main St., Concord.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 28, at 10:30 a.m. at the Boscawen Congregational Church.

In lieu of flow

ers, memorial donations may be made to Boscawen Congregational Church, 12 High St., Boscawen, NH 03303.

The Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolences may be offered at bennettfuneral.com.
Published in The Concord Monitor on June 25, 2014


Bruce Crawford

Boscawen, NH — Bruce R. “The Crank” Crawford of Boscawen, NH, died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

Bruce was the son of Edward and Dorothy (Richards) Crawford. believed passionately in the rights of individuals and small business owners. He was actively involved with Northeast Rockbusters, the Antique Truck Club of America Granite State Chapter, the Auto and Truck Recyclers Association of New Hampshire and the Massey Ferguson Club. He worked to assist these and other organizations, keeping up to date with current legislation and regulations, as well as acting as an advocate for them. He was on the Boscawen Water Precinct, the Boscawen Historical Society and other town organizations. Bruce was an accomplished diesel mechanic who sold and repaired trucks and heavy-duty equipment most of his life. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and skills in this area.

Bruce is survived by his daughter, Cassie Crawford-Eckel and her husband, David, his daughter, Christina Balassone and her husband, Guy; and his son, Joseph Crawford and his partner, Erin Clougherty as well as Bruce’s partner, Elaine Clow-Martin.
A Private Family Service will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022.
A Celebration of Life to be announced in the spring.
In lieu of cards or flowers please send memorial contributions In Bruce’s name to any of the above organizations or donate your time to them.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bennett Funeral Home of Concord, NH.

Published by Concord Monitor on Feb. 26, 2022.