J. Verne Wood Funeral Home

Portsmouth, NH - Frances E. Cimini, 95, passed away on Saturday, May 29 at the Cedar Healthcare assisted living facility in Portsmouth, NH. She was born on March 16th, 1926, in Williamsport, PA to Edward Leroy and Mildred (Boman) Best. Frances spent her life as a devoted homemaker to her husband and children. She served Saint Ann Catholic Church in her hometown of Williamsport, PA in various positions including President of the Alter and Rosary Society. She retired with her husband Ettore to Florida in 1980, where she enjoyed playing golf. Due to declining health, Frances moved to Portsmouth, NH in 2014 and became a resident at Cedar Healthcare assisted living facility. She is...

Edward Leon Kurowski, 83 of Portsmouth, NH (formally of Franklin, NH) passed away April 27th. Ed was born on October 30, 1937 in Franklin, NH to Walter and Nellie Kurowski. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1955, and immediately enrolled in the US Navy, serving as a radar operator. Upon returning to Franklin, Edward married Lillian and they just celebrated 59 years of marriage. They had one son, Martin who is married to Cristina. Ed was a Postman, walking the mail route for 30 years and retired at a young age to enjoy golf and his granddaughters. Ed was a member of the Franklin Lodge of Elks, Franklin Polish Home, Mojolaki Country Club and Lochmere Country Club. One of the...

Robert Keyworth Dozier, 52, of Barrington, NH, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021. Robert was born in Machias, Maine on December 2, 1968. A recording of the live streamed service can be viewed at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/58583354. For online condolences and to view the extended obituary, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home and Cremation Service - Buckminster Chapel.

Carl William Gabel, Jr., of Exeter, New Hampshire, died peacefully on February 28, 2021, after a long illness. He was 87 years young and witty to the end. Carl was born on September 12, 1933, to Lillian and Carl William Gabel in Amityville, New York. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1955, he served as an Infantry Lieutenant in the 3rd Armored Division of the U.S. Army in Friedberg, Germany from 1956-58. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1963. Carl graduated from the University of Illinois Law School in 1960 and began his 27 year legal career as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (1961-1988). Carl litigated numerous cases...

Carl William Gabel, Jr., of Exeter, New Hampshire, died peacefully on February 28, 2021, after a long illness. He was 87 years young and witty to the end. Carl was born on September 12, 1933, to Lillian and Carl William Gabel in Amityville, New York. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1955, he served as an Infantry Lieutenant in the 3rd Armored Division of the U.S. Army in Friedberg, Germany from 1956-58. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1963. Carl graduated from the University of Illinois Law School in 1960 and began his 27 year legal career as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (1961-1988). Carl litigated numerous cases...

Daniel J. Parr of Rye died February 27th 2021` from Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia. He was born in Concord, NH, September 14, 1939, the eldest son of Vincent and Eleanor Parr. Dan grew up in Warner, NH, a community which he held dear, graduating from Simonds Free High School in 1957. The first of his family to go to university, Dan attended UNH, graduating in 1961. He later earned a master's degree from Plymouth State. Dan was an excellent baseball player, declining a minor league offer following his final season at UNH to instead start his career in education. For several years Dan played for Portsmouth's old Northeast League team where he met his wife Sue following a game at Leary...

Former Rockingham County Attorney, Glen E. Graper of Freedom, New Hampshire, passed away at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine on Friday, February 19, 2021 from complications of COVID-19. He was born October 24, 1934 and was the son of Clarence and Gladys (Underwood) Graper of Schenectady, New York. He graduated from Albany Military Academy, Albany, New York; Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont; and Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association; admitted to practice law in the Federal District Court and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the DEKE fraternity. He served two terms as Rockingham County...

Ronald Meenes of Portsmouth, NH, formerly of Worcester and Framingham, MA, was born on January 18, 1940 in Worcester, MA, to Charlotte (Greengus) and Lewis Meenes, the oldest of four children. He died on February 4, 2021. Ron attended school in Worcester. He worked for many years with his father and uncle as an industrial caterer. He was part of the "Crazy Eight," eight crazy friends who remained friends to this day and are all still "Crazy." He met his wife Joyce (Rottenberg) in 1963 and they were married for 52 years. They lived in Framingham when Ron switched careers, first into retail, and then purchasing an ice cream truck, which he operated until his retirement. In 2019, Ron and Joyce...

Richard Randall Shaw February 1, 1941 - January 28, 2021 Singer songwriter Richard Randall Shaw died peacefully on Thursday, January 28, 2021 in Portsmouth, NH. Born in West Stewartstown, NH on February 1, 1941, the son of John Henry Shaw and Barbara (Smith) Shaw. Rick was ten minutes older than his twin brother Ron and often reminded him of that on stage. Growing up in North Conway, they spent as much time as possible outside. Both were excellent skiers and loved to hike, climb and fish. Rick became an avid fly fisherman and retained the interest all his life. Idyllic summers were spent at Camp Huckins on Lake Ossippe, first as campers and later as councilors. Rick credited this...

New Castle - Andrew Bell White, 80, of New Castle, and formerly of Hampstead, NH, passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020 at Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth. He was born on April 12, 1940, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the late Frederick and Mary (Odiorne) White. Andrew was a graduate of Portsmouth High School, the University of New Hampshire and received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, from Northeastern University. Prior to his retirement, Andrew was an electrical engineer for Digital Equipment Corp. He was an active member of the Eliot Baptist Church; was a ham radio operator; former Boy Scout Leader; was an active volunteer and board member at the New Castle...

New Castle - Andrew Bell White, 80, of New Castle, passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020 at Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth. He was born on April 12, 1940, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the late Frederick and Mary (Odiorne) White. Andrew was a graduate of Portsmouth High School, the University of New Hampshire and received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, from Northeastern University. Prior to his retirement, Andrew was an electrical engineer for Digital Equipment Corp. He was an active member of the Eliot Baptist Church; was a ham radio operator; former Boy Scout Leader; was an active volunteer and board member at the New Castle Historical Society; volunteered at...

Portsmouth, NH - Elena Josephine Vercellone, 93, of Portsmouth and formerly a 73 year resident of West Boylston, Massachusetts, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at The Pines in Newmarket, NH. She was born on May 4, 1927 in West Boylston, Massachusetts, to Peter and Mary (Vercellone) Vercellone. She was a graduate from Major Victor E. Edwards High School and Becker Junior College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Miss Vercellone was a manager at State Mutual Life Insurance Company (subsequently known as Allmerica Financial) in Worcester for many years before retiring. She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel; Corpus Christi Parish; the American Business Women's Association Worcester...

Portsmouth, NH - Elena Josephine Vercellone, 93, of Portsmouth and formerly a 73 year resident of West Boylston, Massachusetts, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at The Pines in Newmarket, NH. She was born on May 4, 1927 in West Boylston, Massachusetts, to Peter and Mary (Vercellone) Vercellone. She was a graduate from Major Victor E. Edwards High School and Becker Junior College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Miss Vercellone was a manager at State Mutual Life Insurance Company (subsequently known as Allmerica Financial) in Worcester for many years before retiring. She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel; Corpus Christi Parish; the American Business Women's Association Worcester...

Melville, NY - Abbe Sher of Melville, New York passed away peacefully from complications of brain cancer on Friday, November 13, 2020 at the age of 62. Abbe was raised in Portsmouth, NH before moving to New York 35 years ago. Abbe was an accomplished singer and entertainer. She earned degrees in opera from the Eastman School of Music, Boston University and the Boston Conservatory of Music. Abbe became a cantor later in her life. As a member of the Jewish clergy, Abbe led numerous congregations on Long Island, NY in songful prayer. Abbe loved animals especially her dogs and cats. Her other passions were cooking, baking, gardening and traveling. Abbe was predeceased by her parents Maureen...

Lorraine E. Otis, 96, of Rye, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Webster At Rye. She was born on August 21, 1924 in Claremont, New Hampshire to Alfred and Eleanor (Young) Houle. Lorraine attended Plymouth State College. For many years, Lorraine was employed as a loan officer at Bellwether Community Credit Union in Manchester. She was formerly a longtime resident of Manchester and while residing there, was an active communicant of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph J. Otis, Jr, in 2005 and her brothers, George and Raymond Houle. Survivors included a son, Mark J. Otis (Ellen) of Greenland and Douglas P. Otis (Denise) of Wilmington, MA;...

Portsmouth - On the evening of September 25, 2020 Jeannette Sheridan died with her family by her side. Born on August 8, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts Jeannette graduated from Secretarial School, raised her family and devoted her life working for the Catholic Church and its school. Jeannette retired from Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Jeannette settled in Portsmouth in 1964 and resided at Wentworth Senior Living from 2015-2020. She is survived by her three children, Ruth Nadeau, Denise Sheridan and James Sheridan Jr and his spouse, Brett Roeske as well as three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Jeannette's life Wednesday September 30,...

Ira Hefter of Atlanta, Georgia and Cape Neddick, Maine died peacefully on September 12, 2020 in his home in Maine. He was 78 years old. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Barbara, his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Ellen Hefter of Purchase, New York, and daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Greg Fink, of Marietta, Georgia. Ira is also survived by his six grandchildren, Steven, Robert, Spencer, Jimmy, Alexandra and Peter, his brother Sheldon, and his sister Francine. Ira was born on March 23, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York to Ida and Sol Hefter. He graduated with a degree in accounting from New York University. Ira started his career at the...

Portsmouth - Our mother Maxine Morse of Portsmouth, NH passed away on August 23, 2020 at the age of 96. A NH native from Manchester and the Lakes Region, she later moved to the Seacoast area where she lived for the last 21 years. Predeceased by her parents Morris Katz and Ethel Lawrence Katz and her husband Richard Morse, Mom is survived by her brother Samuel Katz and his wife Catherine Wilfert, us, her four children, Beth Kiendl, Morris Goodman, Jane Goodman, Ellen Goodman; 9 grandchildren: Jesse Kiendl, Dylan Schmeelk, Ezrah Schmeelk, Daniel Goodman, Kate Fox, Maggie Schmeelk, Jeffrey Goodman, Andy Rauch and Dylan Rauch. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren. Mom was a proud...

Portsmouth - Maxine L. Morse passed away comfortably in her sleep Sunday evening, August 23, 2020 at Edgewood Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Maxine was born June 9, 1924 in Manchester, New Hampshire; the daughter of Morris Katz and Ethel Katz (Lawrence). Maxine was predeceased by her first husband Harold H. Goodman, and by her second husband Richard A. Morse. She is survived by her daughter Beth Kiendl and her husband Sheman, son; Morris Goodman and his partner Pamela, daughter Jane Goodman and her husband Donald Giuliano and Ellen Goodman and her husband Greg Bolosky. She is also survived by her brother Samual Katz and grandchildren; Jesse Kiendl, Kate Fox, Daniel Goodman, Jeffrey...

Portsmouth - Maxine L. Morse passed away comfortably in her sleep Sunday evening, August 23, 2020 at Edgewood Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Maxine was born June 9, 1924 in Manchester, New Hampshire; the daughter of Morris Katz and Ethel Katz (Lawrence). Maxine was predeceased by her first husband Harold H. Goodman, and by her second husband Richard A. Morse. She is survived by her daughter Beth Kiendl and her husband Sheman, son; Morris Goodman and his partner Pamela, daughter Jane Goodman and her husband Donald Giuliano and Ellen Goodman and her husband Greg Bolosky. She is also survived by her brother Samual Katz and grandchildren; Jesse Kiendl, Kate Fox, Daniel Goodman, Jeffrey...

East Kingston - Carl F. Johnnen, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020 peaceably at his home in East Kingston, NH. He was born September 27, 1930 in Melrose, MA, the son of the late John F. and Katherine R. (Pinkham) Johnnen. He was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Wakefield, MA and Northeastern University. Mr. Johnnen was married to the late Margaret S. (Wilson) Johnnen in 1962 in Portsmouth, NH. Mr. Johnnen is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, was employed by Avco Corporation, New England Electric System and Avco Successor, Textron Corporation. During retirement Mr. Johnnen enhoyed various hobbies including amateur radio. Survivors include several cousins. A celebration of Carl's life will...