LACONIA - Dr David Marshall Cleasby, 91, died on January 2, 2017 in Laconia, NH. He had made his home at 208 Pleasant St, Laconia, NH for 54 years, and, more recently since August 21, 2015, he was a resident at The St Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Laconia. Before his retirement in 1987, he was a Board Certified Anesthesiologist at Laconia Hospital (now LRGH) for 25 years.
David was born in Lancaster, NH on May 29, 1925, the son of Howard W Cleasby, MD and Isabel (Marshall) Cleasby. He grew up in Lancaster and graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1943.
On May 24,1943, David enlisted in the US Army. He attended Texas A&M University before joining the 10th Mountain 86th Regiment Company L at Camp Swift. He was then transferred to the 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, which was shipped overseas to Italy in January 1944 where combat with the German Army was continuous for four months. In the first of 3 major battles at Riva Ridge in the Apennine Mountains, David was awarded the good conduct medal for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity in critical service situations. He was also promoted to Technician 5th Grade in recognition of his special skills as Radioman. When the Germans were defeated, his unit was returned to the United States where he was honorably discharged from military service on January 3, 1946.
Following his discharge from military service, David continued his education graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1948, and Tufts Medical College, earning his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1952. During that time he married his first wife, Arlene Smalley.
After completing his medical internship at Cambridge (MA) City Hospital, David returned to Lancaster where he was in the general practice of medicine from 1953 to 1960, and also often gave anesthesia at the Weeks Memorial Hospital, Lancaster. He developed an interest in specializing in anesthesiology and left Lancaster to take an anesthesiology residency at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, NH. In 1962 he joined the staff at the Laconia Hospital, limiting his medical practice to anesthesiology. On August 19, 1963 he was married to his second wife, Elizabeth Foss Rock.
David was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia. While living in both Lancaster and Laconia, he was a long-time member of Rotary Club. He was also an active member of the New England Chapter of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, and participated in its annual climb to the summit of Mt Washington for their memorial services of past members until late into his 80’s.
David was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed recreation at his property at Terrace Mountain in East Lancaster, NH, spending many happy times there with his wife, Betty, and their children. David was a humble, friendly, quick-witted man from the North Country, devoted to his family and beloved by them in return. His unique sense of humor was enjoyed by all who knew him.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, “Betty” Cleasby; by 2 sons, Craig Cleasby (Susan) and Douglas Cleasby; 2 daughters, Cynthia Cleasby Sweeney (Brian) and Dianne Cleasby Cook (James); a step-son, Thomas Rock, MD (Nanci); 6 step-daughters, Mary Rock Hamilton (Charles), Alice Rock Robinson (Dennis), Elizabeth Rock Casarella (Anthony), Marguerite Rock St Gelais, Patricia Rock Gorman (Robert), and Ann-Marie Rock Litka (Anthony); a daughter-in-law, Beth Kiley Cleasby; 23 grandchildren; 13 great-grand children; 3 nephews and 1 niece.
In addition to his parents David was pre-deceased by his sister, Carolyn Cleasby Probert, by his first wife, Arlene Smalley Cashmore, his son, David Foss Cleasby, an infant grandson, Christopher Cleasby, and a stepdaughter, Catherine Rock.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to St Francis and their staff for the very special care and attention David received throughout his time there.
Calling hours will be held from 11AM to 1PM on Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance. . A family prayer service will follow at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church in Laconia. Burial will take place at Summer Street Cemetary, Lancaster, NH in the spring. For those that wish, memorial donations can be made to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth St, Concord, NH 03301 or at forestsociety.org or to the land conservation program of their choice.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.