Donald N. Rice

Donald was born on August 19, 1925 in Concord, NH to Neal James and Eunice Maude Haven Rice.

Don was a lifelong resident of Hopkinton. In 1890, his grandfather moved from Henniker to the dairy farm on Emerson Hill, where members of the Rice family lived until 2008. Don and his wife, MIldred, Thomas, moved to Havenwood, then to Portland, Maine

As a youth, he won the Outstanding Young Farmer's Award. He graduated from Hopkinton High School in 1943 and the University of New Hampshire in 1949 with a B.S. in Horticulture.

For 14 years, Don was a member of the Board of Selectmen, when the board oversaw the linking of the Hopkinton Telephone Company to Concord for toll-free calling. He was also involved in the 200th Anniversary celebration of the town in 1965. Don was a President of the Hopkinton Fair, a volunteer at the Antiquarian Society and the Henniker Historical Society, and an active member of the Algonquin Club for almost 60 years.

Don was a veteran of the 6th Marine Division in World War II, where he served in combat in the Pacific Theater at Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Guam and China.

His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, genealogy, hunting, fishing, and collecting Hopkinton memorabilia and Chinese stamps.

During his career he was a Dairy Farmer, Florist -owner of Riceland Flowers and repairman for National Fiberglass.

Donald is predeceased by his son, Douglas A. Rice. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mildred, two daughters, Joanne Bossert of Kennesaw, GA and Janette Gustafson of Portland, ME. Sons-in-law Rod Bossert and Rich Gustafson, daughter-in-law Gloria Rice. Don leaves 6 grandchildren: Just and Jeremy Bossert, Abigail and Seth Gustafson, Neal Rice, Julia Gustafson and husband Louis Tijeras.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 14 at 11am at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held in the spring at the family plot at New Henniker Cemetery in Henniker, NH.

For additional information and to sign Donald’s online guest book, please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com