John H. Woodbury III

John Hale Woodbury, III, 82, of Sullivan Road, Keene, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon June 14th, at Harborside Healthcare – Pheasant Wood in Peterborough, with his family at his side following a period of failing health.

He was born in Keene on December 4, 1928, the son of John H Woodbury, Jr. and Elvira (Whitney) Woodbury. He was a member of the class of 1947 at Keene High School, and a lifelong area resident.

In December of 1947, he married Marion T. Cota, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage before her death in 1998.

He worked as a precision machinist at Johnson Motor Parts on Railroad St. in Keene, from High School years until the business closed in December of 1994, then at Cheshire Tire machine shop, until his retirement in January of 2007. He was well known in this area for his expertise in rebuilding engines.

John enjoyed NASCAR, and traveled to both the Indianapolis and Daytona races to see his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. He regularly attended square dances with the Granite Chips. He was an avid sports fan, and attended many of his children’s and grand-children’s sporting events over the years. He was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening, and loved both wild and domestic animals, especially his dogs. John was a member of the N.H. Maple Producers Assoc. and had produced Maple Syrup every year since helping his grandfather as a young boy. He also was a member of the Granite State Gas and Steam Engine Assoc., displaying his antique gas engine at the Dublin Gas Engine Show for many years. John loved to travel the coastal area of Maine, especially around Camden and Boothbay. Summers were spent at the family cottage on Granite Lake for over 50 years. He was also a long time musician; selected as class musician in high school, played trumpet in the Keene City Band and was a long time member of the American Legion Band, playing in many area parades and performing TAPS for many services.

Survivors include his four children: John Bruce “Chip” Woodbury and his wife Kathy of Sullivan, Sharon Dietrich and her husband Jeff of North Port, FL., Gail Lavigne and her husband Tyke of Stoddard, and Barbara Ropiecki and her husband Allen of Stoddard; twelve grandchildren: Mary, Lisa, Debra, Matthew, Coreen, Annie, Tim, Chris, Rick, Ryan, Jenny and Emily; six great grandchildren: Garrett, Connor, Tanner, Clayton, Tessa and Sylas John; many nieces and nephews, a brother, Kenneth Woodbury of Keene and a sister Alice Maurer and her husband Chuck of Dover, NH as well as a dear friend Doris Mullett of Keene. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Marion, and a brother, Richard “Dick” Woodbury who died in May.

A Celebration of his Life will be held on Tuesday the 21st at the United Congregational Church of Sullivan at 12:30 pm. Calling Hours will be held Monday the 20th from 6:00 until 8:00pm at the Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro St, Keene. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Main Street, Keene at 11:00am on Tuesday the 21st and it will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. John H. Woodbury’s name to the Monadnock Regional Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446-3419 (www.monadpets.org )

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com ), 33 Marlboro Street, Keene is in charge of the arrangements.