Wilbur Wil Ezra Mansfield Jr

Wilbur Ezra Mansfield, Jr., 79, of Spofford, New Hampshire and summer resident of Moltonborough, NH passed away the morning of Monday, October 17th, 2011 in the comfort of his home, after a period of declining health.

He was born in Danbury, CT on September 7, 1932, the son of Wilbur Ezra Mansfield, Sr. and his wife Charlotte Ruth (Meder) Mansfield and resided in Danbury through his school years. He graduated from Danbury High School in 1950. After graduation he began college, but was drafted into the United States Army. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1957 and The College of Life Underwriters in 1971.

Mr. Mansfield married Jean Margaret Myers on May 16, 1954 in a ceremony at The First Congregational Church in Danbury, CT. Mrs. Jean Margaret Myers Mansfield is the descendant of one of the great hat manufacturing families of Danbury and the two families trace their heritage back to Revolutionary War era Danbury.

After his Honorable Discharge, Mr. Mansfield held several management positions in the financial services field, including Field Vice President of U.S. Life Insurance Company, Divisional Sales Manager for The Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, CT, National Sales Director and Vice President of Marketing for Maine Fidelity Life Insurance Company. He moved to Bow, NH in 1973 and to Spofford, NH in 1977. Most recently he was a Financial Advisor with Invest Financial Corporation in Keene, New Hampshire.

Throughout his life, Mr. Mansfield has been associated with the Rotary, Jaycees and various church and Republican political organizations. He was an active member of The United Church of Christ in Keene, NH, having served as a deacon and on the finance committee. He played baseball from high school through college and enjoyed tennis, golf and boating on Lake Winnipesaukee. Mr Mansfield was an avid UCONN Basketball and Red Sox Baseball fan. He enjoyed American history, literature and spirited political debates. His greatest passion was spending summers at his cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee with his wife, family and close circle of friends.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years: Jean M. Mansfield of Spofford, NH; his daughter: Donna J. Mansfield of Glastonbury, CT; two sons: Keith A. Mansfield of Spofford, NH and Scott D. Mansfield of Stamford, CT; a sister Carol Mansfield MacLenathen of Danbury, CT and three cousins: Richard Mansfield of Danbury, CT, Chester Miller of San Pedro, CA and Sylvia St Jean of Weston, VA. He is predeceased by his sister, Ruth Heiser.

A Memorial Service will be held at the United Church of Christ in Keene, on Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 at 1:00 PM. Family and friends are invited. There are no public calling hours. Burial will be in the family plot at the Wooster Cemetery in Danbury, CT on October, 31 at 11 AM.

In Lieu of Flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made in Mr. Wilbur Ezra Mansfield, Jr.’s name, to the American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049 ( www.heart.org ), or to the United Church of Christ, Youth Ministries, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH, 03431.

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