Dennis E. McRae Sr.

He was born in Keene, NH, September 26, 1945, the son of Earle Leroy and Rose (Gregory) McRae.

He attended local schools including Keene High School, and Kurn Hattin School in Westminister, VT. He later earned a degree in nursing from the Thompson School of Nursing in Brattleboro, VT.

Mr. McRae was an Army veteran serving from 1963 until 1967, during the Vietnam War. He served in the Army Reserve until 1969. He later served in both the New Hampshire and Vermont Army National Guards. He retired as a first sergeant in 2005, after 28 years of service.

For over 30 years, he worked as a finish carpenter with several area construction companies. He later worked as a registered nurse at the Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland and other area nursing homes.

Mr. McRae resided in Marlborough, NH for many years before moving to Keene in 1998. While residing in Marlborough, he was a fifteen year member of the Marlborough Fire Department and also an emergency medical technician with the Marl-Harris Ambulance Service. While residing in Keene, he continued his love of firefighting as a member of the Surry Fire Department. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 799 of Keene and a member of the American Legion Croteau-Coutts Post 24 of Marlborough.

He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and attending Swamp Bat games. His favorite pastime was the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by two sons, Dennis E. McRae, Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Bangor, ME, Gary R. McRae and his wife, Michelle, of Westmoreland, NH; his step-daughter, Michelle Hughes of Putney, VT; his step-son, Michael Goodchild and his wife, Michelle, of Keene; his daughter-in-law, Denise Bleau of Swanzey, NH; fifteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Terry Rae (Bleau) McRae who died January 11, 2011, and a son, James Bleau who died in 2014.

A celebration of life and visitation will be held Sunday, June 28th from 2:00 to 4:00PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. Burial with military honors in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. McRae’s memory to the National Alzheimer’s Foundation, Inc., 185 Madison Avenue, New York City, NY 10016.