Erville H. Smith

Erville Hayes Smith, formerly of Bow, passed away in Concord on March 31, 2011. He was born in East Haverhill, New Hampshire on March 25, 1915, the son of Everett Hayes and Mamie E. Smith and the youngest of their five children.

Erville graduated from Haverhill Academy in New Hampshire in 1933, and Concord Business College in 1935. Upon graduation, he went to work for Concord Electric Company. In 1941, he acquired a large dairy farm in East Concord which operated for eighteen years. After the farm closed down, he went to work as Director of the New Hampshire Hospital Farm and in 1973 he transferred to the State of New Hampshire, Division of Purchase and Property.

Erville and Scottie were married in 1963 and, later, built a house in Bow where they lived for 27 years. In 1999 they moved to Heritage Heights Retirement Home in Concord. He was a member of the South Congregational Church where he served on the Church Council for three years, as Deacon for six years and Trustee for six years.

Erville was a great nature lover, and strong admirer of the work for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests where he and his wife volunteered for many years. In 2006, they were given the award for Volunteers of the Year. That same year Governor Lynch awarded them a New Hampshire Certificate of Appreciation in acknowledgment of exemplary contributions to volunteerism to the betterment of life in New Hampshire.

He was a hands on person who, after his retirement in 1980, built an extensive woodworking shop, fulfilling a life-long dream. During his years at Heritage Heights he was put in charge of the Wood Working Shop where he regularly enjoyed the craft and associated companionship.

Erville was a member of Blazing Star Masonic Lodge No. 11 since January, 1968. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1979 & 1980 and as secretary since 1984. He has held an office continually in the Lodge since February, 1969, and received the Major John Sullivan medal in 1986. He served as Grand Steward for two years in the New Hampshire Grand Lodge. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Concord that conferred the Medal for Masonic Service upon him, the first time a New Hampshire member has received the distinguished award. Since 1970, he was a member of the York Rite in Concord and he served as Illustrious Master in the Horace Chase Council for several years, a member of Trinity Chapter #2 Royal Arch Masons, a member of Mount Horeb Commandery #3 and was awarded the York Rite Cross of Honor.

Erville Smith was much loved and respected, and will be long remembered and greatly missed by so many.

He is survived by his loving wife Blanche “Scottie” Bean Smith of Concord, and his three children; Gregory Hayes Smith and his wife Iliana of Concord, Marsha Gray Cobb of Monmouth, Maine, and Michael P.Toomire of Portsmouth. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Geoffrey H. Smith and his wife Jessie of Jamaica Plain, Stuart B. Smith of Boston, Michael D. Gray and his wife Rocky of New York City, Crystal P. Cobb of Jamaica Plain, Air Force SSgt Justin P.Toomire, recently returned from Iraq, Travis P. Toomire of Portsmouth, and Kimberly J. Toomire of Boston, and his great granddaughter Wyatt Rose Gray. Erville also leaves his brother in law, Judge Arthur E. Bean, Jr. and wife Gail, his son David W. Bean and his wife Penny and their family.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at the South Congregational Church, 27 Pleasant Street, Concord, New Hampshire at 2 pm, on Thursday, April 7, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301, the SPCA, 130 Washington St. Penacook, NH 03303 and the South Congregational Church, 27 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301.

The Bennett Funeral Home, Concord, is in charge of arrangements.