DOVER, N.H. — Reece Allard, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 after a period of failing health.
He was born on Sept. 18, 1927 in Lowell, Mass., the son of the late George and Beatrice (Lane) Allard.
His family later settled in Saco, Maine.
After attending local schools, Reece volunteered to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He later moved to Dover, where he worked as a private moving contractor for Montgomery Wards. In 1969, he started a business called Strafford Tire and Battery with his friend Danny Hashem. During this time, he furthered his education by taking classes at UNH and Stratham Tech.
After retiring, he loved to go fishing and lobstering from his home on Spur Road in Dover Point. He enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Prince Edward Island and the Caribbean, and later spent his winters in Port Richey, Fla. With his need to be constantly busy, he tried his hand at raising turkeys, gardening and building birdhouses.
A reserved person by nature, Reece was constantly drawn out by the antics and goings on of his adopted families. He accepted life’s challenges with remarkable courage and grace, and knew when it was time to move on. Toward his final days, as he talked about how good his life had been, he said, “I never expected I would have this much fun.” Reece was a devoted husband, appreciative grandfather and steadfast friend.
He was preceded in death by: his wife of 20 years, Hazel (Sherren) Allard; stepdaughter, Diane Redden; brothers, Charles and George; and sisters, Pat Taylor and Betty Harvey.
He later married and was preceded in death by his wife of 22 years, Prudence (Waterhouse) Allard.
He is survived by: his son, Jeffrey Allard and his wife Carol of Dover; four stepdaughters, Nancy and her husband, Terry Higgins of Lebanon, Maine, Melany Steves of Hudson, Cynthia Vachon of North Carolina and Greta and her husband Steve Munton of Portsmouth; stepson, Clinton Dodge and his wife Sandra of Barrington; son-in-law and close friend, Tom Redden of Newington; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A spring burial and graveside service will take place in Pine Hill Cemetery. The family suggests donations be made in his memory to the: Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, NH 03866 (www.supportveterans.org); or Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820. Arrangements are under the direction of Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.
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