Howard L. Mudge

He was born in Goffstown, NH, October 18, 1920, the son of Lester and Grace (Fox) Mudge, and he attended local schools. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Sally Batchelder Mudge, on May 10, 2003.

On October 23, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the Construction Battalion. As a member of the Seabees, he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre and Philippine Liberation, including Bougainville. He continued serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves until November 9, 1950.

His work career included ship fitting at the Portsmouth, NH and Tampa FL shipyards; gas station manager in Goffstown; salesman with Checkerboard Feeds and Rice’s Tires in Manchester; and as an electrician with LeBlanc Electric in Goffstown.

He resided in Goffstown until 1969, and New Boston, NH until 1998, before moving to Keene. After retirement, he and his wife spent the winters in Eustis, Florida for 25 years.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, working in his yard, and caring for his home, a task he continued to enjoy until his death. During his retirement, he enjoyed reading, especially books regarding World War II. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor and storytelling. He was an avid Red Sox fan and was pleasantly surprised when they won the 2004 World Series. He was a member of the Bektash Shriners and a Mason for over fifty years, as well as a member of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

He is survived by his children, Nancy McDougall of Alexander, VA, Betty Parker and her husband, Carl, of Milford, NH, Cathy Goldthwaite and her husband, Ronald, of Derry, NH, Howard Mudge, Jr. and his wife, Brenda, of Keene; four grandchildren, Bonnie Lambert, Lisa Wright, Jennifer Rollman, Michael Mudge; three great-grandchildren, Christopher Lambert, Daniel and Judah Rollman; a brother-in-law, Victor Batchelder, of Rio Rancho, NM; and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Raymond Mudge, died in November, 1995.

Funeral services and burial in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH, will be private.

The Foley Funeral Home of Keene, is assisting the family with the arrangements.