J. Verne Wood Funeral Home

Richard (Dick) M. Clark II, 78, of New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026. He was born February 23, 1947 in Lowell M.A. to Richard Martin Clark and Ruth Preston Clark while the family was residing in Portsmouth, N.H. After moving several times as a child, Dick graduated from Goffstown High School in 1965, and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, completing active duty during the Vietnam era and continuing service in the Army Reserves. He attended the University of New Hampshire and Virginia Tech, where he earned his doctorate in Nutritional Sciences. He spent decades at the University of Connecticut (Storrs) as a professor, researcher, and advisor, finding his greatest...

Mary Heard Johnson, 100, of Exeter, died Saturday, January 10 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 6, 1925, in Manchester, NH, a daughter of Marston and Doris (Fellows) Heard. Mary graduated from Manchester High School and Saint Mary's in the Mountains, and then from Smith College in 1946, majoring in history. While working in the family casket business in Boston, she was introduced to her future husband, Thomas Johnson, at a Harvard Musical Association concert. They married in 1949 and took up residence in Marblehead, MA. There, in addition to raising three sons, she was active in numerous organizations including leading the Marblehead Garden Club which was...

Portsmouth, NH - Russell Ernest Cousins, age 76, a US Army Veteran of Vietnam, of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, at Portsmouth Hospital following a long period of declining health due to "Agent Orange" exposure and lasting complications from injuries sustained during his deployment. He is survived by his beloved soulmate and best friend of more than thirty years Julie E. (Gould) Cousins. They met in Bangor, Maine and were married on Valentine's Day 2004 at Sunset Key Island in Key West, Florida. During his last earthly days and final moments his favorite music played in the background, red roses, his favorite flower, were on display and Julie remained at his side. ...

Robert J. "Bobby" Borges, age 72, of Concord, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Oct. 8, 2025 at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH following an arduous battle with pancreatic cancer which he fought to the end. He was born in Lowell, MA on September 18, 1953, son of the late Joseph & Rita (Lambert) Borges. Prior to his retirement spent in Colorado with beloved friends and then in Concord NH near beloved family, he worked as a buyer and production planner in the manufacturing industry. His earlier work included cooking as a professional chef, working with adults with developmental disabilities, painting and remodeling homes, and security work with the Veteran's...

Walter Wayne Miller, 87, passed away on September 13, 2025, at Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland. Wayne was born on November 5, 1937, in Olivia, North Carolina, to Clifton Booker Miller and Gladys Gregg Miller. He graduated from New Hanover High School, Wilmington, N.C. in 1955 and from Wilmington College/University of North Carolina, Wilmington, in 1957 with an Associate in Arts Degree. After college Wayne proudly served 30 years in the military, four years in the Marine Corps and 26 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring in 1990 as CW04. While in the Coast Guard he served at aids to navigation and LORAN stations in many parts of the world, including the West Indies, Philippines,...

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Laura C. Pantelakos (Wyman), who died peacefully on April 7, 2025, at the age of 89. Laura's legacy will live on through her children, sons Charlie Jr (Sherrie), James (Sandra), Joseph, John (Mary) daughters Petra Barstow (Chris), Charlene Gardner (Shawn) and Pearl Lyman (Darren), and her 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and her sister Beatrice Reno (Ken). A memorial visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 3:00PM with a memorial service to immediately follow at 3:00 PM at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad Street, Portsmouth, NH on Saturday, April 12th, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be...

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Patricia Ann (Smith) Casso, 95, of Pompano Beach, FL, formerly of New Castle, NH, on February 12, 2025. A beloved mother, Patricia was the strength of our family as well as a mentor and her son's sole guiding light in life. Born on March 25, 1929, in Waterville, ME, Patricia is the daughter of the late D. Thurlowe Smith and Frances Noble. The family later moved to Bangor, ME, where she graduated from Bangor High School, Class of 1947. Patricia went on to study at Westbrook Junior College in Portland, ME, graduating with the Class of 1949. In 1951, Patricia started her career in the finance industry, working for 36 years, first for Universal...

James G. Boujoukos, age 87, left this life peacefully with his wife Christine by his side, following a period of declining health. They had relocated to Portsmouth's Edgewood Center, from their home in Concord 2 years ago. Jimmy was born October 10, 1937 in Boston to the late Esther (Papouleas) and George Boujoukos. He was a loving, devoted and generous husband, son, father, brother, grandfather and friend. A talented pianist, he enjoyed all genres of music. He was a true gentleman, a fine host and a sharp dresser. His handsome smile and calm demeanor will be truly missed. He enjoyed a nice dinner out, a good gin and tonic, and great company. A 1957 graduate of Winthrop High School, he...

Gail Manchee Mapel, 89, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025 at her home in New Castle, NH, surrounded by her loving family. Gail was born July 31, 1935 to Frederick Manchee and Gladys (Miller) Manchee of Ridgewood, NJ. She had an older sister, Meryl Manchee Vallar. Gail graduated from Ridgewood High School and attended Connecticut College for Women. Summer highlights as a teenager included working as a waitress on the Jersey Shore, and traveling around the country and overseas with family. After college, she worked as a secretary for Johnny Carson and later at Union Carbide where she met William M.R. (Bill) Mapel. Gail and Bill were married June 21, 1958. They made their home in...

Gail died peacefully on November 12, 2024 in Rye, NH. Born on December 2, 1943, daughter of Morton and Cecelia Young. You can send wishes to the family and watch a slideshow at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home Portsmouth, NH www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gail's name to Healing H'Arts Donations - Healing H'Arts Equestrian Center https://healingharts.com/donations/, The Lovering Health Center https://joangloveringhealthcenter.org/donate or the ACLU of NH. https://www.aclu-nh.org/give.

Bonnie Alice Anita (Katwick) Dunton, age 84, of Milton, NH passed away on November 11, 2024 at her home. For 64 years, she was the beloved wife of Charles Donald "Don" Dunton, who passed August 21, 2024. She leaves two sons Erik Dunton (partner Kim Scott); Charles Donald "Chad" Dunton II (wife Gloria Camille); a daughter, Jennifer Anne Dunton (husband Jeffrey Lord); 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ronald Dunton; a nephew, Terrence "Terry" Fenn (wife, Carolyn). She was mother of the late Christopher K. Dunton. For her complete obituary and online guestbook, please visit www.JVWoodFuneralHome.com SERVICES: A time of Memorial Visitation will be on Friday, January 10,...

We memorialize the passing of a remarkable person. Cynthia J. Van Zandt, 62, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, passed away on November 11, 2024. Cynthia was born in Munich, Germany, on May 14, 1962, to MariLynn Logan Van Zandt and Homer Richardson Van Zandt who were originally from Texas. Cynthia moved around the world with her parents and brother. Her father was a career U.S. Army officer, which took her family twice to Germany, and in the United States to Texas, Maryland, Alabama, Washington, and Virginia. With her family, Cynthia settled in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she graduated from Albemarle High School and then attended and graduated in 1984 from the University of Virginia...

Elizabeth Y. Ebeling passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at home, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She fought, with strength, prayers and kindness from family and friends, yet succumbed to the unrelenting diagnosis of Glioblastoma. Elizabeth is survived by her loving and supportive husband, Jan Ebeling, having spent 35 fantastic married years together. She was born on December 27, 1960, in Bethesda, Maryland to James and Bettylu (Jones) Young. Her family was blessed with a stepmother in 1970, Mariette (Aubuchon) Young, after her mother passed in 1969 and her father remarried. Elizabeth is survived by her siblings: Anne Young , Mark (Jane) Young of,...

William J. Quirk, 81, devoted husband, larger-than-life presence to siblings, nieces, nephews and friends, and a man who made people laugh all his life, died Saturday, Sept. 14, at Edgewood Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anne. They met at Suffolk University and began a life together full of love, adventure and laughter. The two lived for 25 years in New York City before finding a home in Portsmouth. They sailed their boat up and down the coast, had box seats at Carnegie Hall, made annual pilgrimages to Cape Cod, spent many a morning gazing at the ocean and filled their Friday nights with pizza and champagne. Bill died 60 years to the day of...

Charles D. "Don" Dunton, age 85, of Milton, NH passed on Aug. 21, 2024 at his home. For 64 years, he was the beloved husband of Bonnie Alice (Katwick) Dunton; he also leaves two sons, Erik Dunton; Charles D. "Chad" Dunton II (wife Gloria Camille); a daughter, Jennifer Anne Dunton (husband Jeffrey Lord); six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ronald Williams Dunton; a nephew, Terrence "Terry" Fenn (wife, Carolyn); the mother of four of his grandchildren, Rebecca Dunton. He was father of the late Christopher K. Dunton; and brother of the late Elaine Fenn. For his complete obituary and online guestbook, please visit www.JVWoodFuneralHome.com SERVICES: A time of Memorial...

Brady Alexander Mistretta, 31, of Cambridge, MA passed away suddenly on July 6, 2024 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. He was born on January 14, 1993 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Keith Mistretta and Joan Fiori Mistretta. Brady was a devoted and caring sibling, and is survived by his two brothers David Mistretta and Neil Mistretta, sister Jenny Mistretta, and grandfather, Augustine J. Fiori as well as many admirers among uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, co-workers, scientists, teammates, and friends in life. Brady attended grade school at both the Oyster River Public School District and Portsmouth Christian Academy, graduating from Oyster River High School in 2011....

Beverly Clark, 79, of Durham, NH, and formerly of Akron, OH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Durham, NH. Beverly was born on April 3, 1945, in Akron, Ohio to Louis and Elizabeth (born Steidl) Bickey. Beverly graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Akron and a Master's in Education from Indiana University. She taught English at Barberton High School in Barberton, OH . In December 2021, Beverly moved to Durham, New Hampshire to be near her son and family. She is survived by her son Robert Clark, his wife Brittany Tartarilla, and her grandson, Charlie George Clark. Beverly was married to George Clark, who preceded her in death in October 2010. For...

Joan Slavin Rice of Portsmouth, N.H., passed away on March 4, 2024, after a four-year struggle with ovarian cancer. Born December 29, 1948, in Boston, Joan's mother, Leona Bruck Slavin, was intelligent, fashionable, and beautiful. She was an active volunteer and president of the Watertown (Ma.) League of Women Voters. Lee also passed away from cancer when Joan was 10. Her father, Robert M. Slavin, was left as sole parent. He was a rocket scientist working for Aerospace Instrumention Lab in Bedford, Ma. Major project credits included the lunar module. Throughout her life Joan would encompass her mother's beauty and style plus her dad's wisdom and scientific practicality. She was blessed...

Jean Marilyn (Corbett) Cavanagh took the hand of the Lord to live in his dwelling forever on January 24, 2024. Jean was born on November 15, 1929 in Northfield, Vermont as the fifth child of her late parents, Robert J. Corbett and Florence G. (Fox) Corbett. As a child, Jean's family left the Vermont farm to live in Massachusetts. She graduated from Wakefield, MA schools and after the war, married her high school sweetheart, the late John B. Cavanagh. Jean and John ("Cav") were married for 64 years before Cav's passing in 2013. Jean and Cav had made their home in NH, having lived in Bennington, Amherst, Weare, Gilford and finally in the seacoast to be near their son and...

Janet A. Taylor of Portsmouth passed away on September 3, 2023, after a period of declining health. Janet was born on January 14, 1933, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, to Francis J. O'Connor and Carlotta Severance O'Connor. After attending the University of New Hampshire and Chandler School for Women, she worked in Boston, Massachusetts, before marrying the love of her life, Alvin E. Taylor, in 1956. The couple resided in North Carolina while Alvin completed law school, lived briefly in Washington, D.C., and then moved to Portsmouth in 1958. They resided in Portsmouth for the remainder of their lives. In addition to raising her family, Janet worked as an executive assistant and office...

Sylvia (Labbe) Ouellette, age 70, passed away unexpectedly at her home on July 20, 2023. For 49 years, she was the beloved wife of David A. Ouellette. She was born on October 5, 1952 in West Stewartstown, NH, daughter of the late John and Marcelle (Roy) Labbe. She grew up in Colebrook graduating from Our Lady of Grace Academy and then from Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in Manchester, NH. A longtime resident of Portsmouth, NH, she also resided for two years in California in the 1970's and in England for two years in the early 1980's, before settling back down in Portsmouth. Sylvia worked for many years as a registered nurse. While in California, she worked at St. Jude Hospital...