Laconia-----Russell Clark Orton, 94, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully Sunday, February 12, 2017 at the Taylor Community in Laconia, NH surrounded by his family. Born in Boston, MA on May 9, 1922, Russ was the son of Harriet and Dr. Leon Orton of Ashland, NH. Russ attended Ashland Public Schools and graduated in 1940 from Holderness School in Plymouth. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from UNH in 1948 and an MBA from the Harvard School of Business in 1953.
Russ proudly served his country during WWII as part of the 351st infantry division which fought in Italy. He was awarded a Silver Star for valor in combat after he led his troops to the successful capture of 119 German soldiers. After the fighting ended, he was part of a group of soldiers assigned to escort German soldiers who had been captured by Allied Forces back to their homeland.
In 1954 Russ married Janet Ballou of Wellesley, MA, a graduate of Smith College. The couple settled in Laconia where Mr. Orton worked first for Scott and Williams and later for the ACME Staple Company. Russ subsequently led New England Industrial Resource Development, where he combined his engineering and business backgrounds to help New England-based inventors acquire patents, develop business plans, and secure venture capital funding.
Growing up on the shores of Squam Lake Russ, like his father, became an avid fly fisherman; a hobby he enjoyed for the rest of his life. As the son of the town doctor he spent a good deal of time sitting in his father’s car while the doctor made house calls around Squam Lake.
As an adult, Russ was active in his community. He was a long-time Boy Scout leader, chaired the Belknap County Republican Party, served as a Laconia Police Commissioner, and as a Trustee of the Lakes Region General Hospital. During his retirement, he became an Honorary Director of the Squam Lakes Conservation Society, an Honorary Trustee of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, as well as being actively involved with the Squam Lakes Association and Canterbury Shaker Village.
Russ was always a physically active person. He participated in various sports throughout his school and college years and treasured the time he spent on the slopes of Gunstock teaching his children to ski and on Little Squam Lake teaching them to water ski. He continued to ski well into his 70s and was known for his long daily walks which he insisted on taking no matter the weather.
Over the course of their long and happy marriage Russ and Mary travelled the globe including trips to South Africa, the Galapagos Islands, China, Europe, and many parts of the United States. They spent considerable time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where Russ took the opportunity to fish on the Snake River.
Russ was predeceased by his first wife Janet (Ballou) Orton in 1972, a step-daughter Ann Jewett Steele in 1978, and a step-son Stephen S. Jewett IV in 1996. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Mary Jewett Orton; four children – Leslie Orton-Mahar and her husband Tom Mahar of Williamstown, MA; Piper Orton of Auburndale, MA; Janet Chase Orton of Brighton, MA; Clark Orton of Belmont, NH; two step-children – Samantha Jewett and her husband Brian Connelly of Gilford, NH; Ellen Jewett of Bainbridge Island, WA; and 7 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Russ’ name be made to any of the following:
Squam Lakes Conservation Society, P.O. Box 696, Holderness, NH 03245, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, P.O. Box 173, Holderness, NH 03245 or to Central NH VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main St, Laconia, NH 03246.
A service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at the Holderness School Chapel, 45 Chapel Lane, Holderness NH. Refreshments will be served after the service in Weld Hall East Room.
Burial will be held in the spring in Trinity Churchyard Cemetery, Holderness, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.