Laconia---John Conrad Haven, 78, joined “his Sheila” in glory on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia NH, after a very long and valiant fight with COPD and emphysema. John was born January 16, 1939 to Richard and Mary (Lord) Haven in Somerville, Massachusetts. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1957.
After marrying his high school sweetheart, Sheila Ruth Cassavaugh (“his Sheila”) in 1959, John served in the United States Army, spending his deployment in New Jersey and as an MP in Korea. Upon returning from his service to his country, John and Sheila settled into life in Laconia NH.
In October 1966, they added a baby son to their family, Richard Nelson. In August 1973, they decided that Ricky needed a sister, so they asked a then 5-year-old Marcia Marie to join their family. They lived in Gilford, Lakeport, finally settling on Edwards St. in Laconia. In 1980, they were surprised to learn that they would have a child of their own, Jessica Grace. In later years, they resided at Charlevoix Place in Laconia, finally ending up together at the Belknap County Nursing Home. John was fortunate enough to be serving as President of the Resident program at the nursing home at the time of his passing. His nurses appreciated his humor and his many army and train stories.
John worked as a police officer for Gilford NH. He also spent most of his career as shipping/receiving clerk and supervisor for Carpenter-Patterson and later, Bergen-Patterson until the company moved to Mexico. He also worked part time for Vernitron in Laconia. He also worked at Acme Staple and Lakes Region Manufacturing until he retired due to his failing health.
The one thing John will universally be known for his passion for trains. He spent many weekends chasing trains around New England with his brother-in-law, Jim Beaudoin, and his train buddies, Wayne Ford and Joe Boissoneault. There were always multiple train magazines located in all his favorite areas of his house. If anyone needed to know about trains, they knew to ask John, and he would tell you all he knew until you had enough. He also enjoyed taking Sunday drives (many of which ended up with trains sighted) with Sheila, her many brothers and sisters, and later in life, with his own children.
John was deeply saddened by the loss of “his Sheila” on February 12, 2017. He missed her so much and couldn’t stand to be without her. He was also predeceased by his father, Richard and his mother Mary, as well as his uncles Everett and Charlie Lord and his aunts Emmy (Red) Watson and Edna (Burt) Day. Also predeceasing him, was his train buddies including his brother in law, James Beaudoin.
John is survived by his son, Rick Haven from Pepperell, Massachusetts, his oldest daughter, Marcia Haven from Lyman, Maine and his youngest daughter, Jessica Haven from Laconia. He is survived by his grandchildren, Tia, Miles, Keith, Lily, Marc, Dagan and Rebekah. He is also survived by his younger brother, Jeffery Haven and his wife, Erin from Laconia; and cousins Marjorie Morin and Richard Day and their families.
Funeral services, with assistance from John’s sister “in law” Pamela Beaudoin, will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at The First Baptist Church at 49 Church St. in Belmont, NH at 12 noon with Pastor Andy Barnes officiating. A time of fellowship and memories will immediately follow the service.
A burial with military honors for John and his beloved, Sheila will be at the NH Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen NH on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 12 noon.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Belknap County Nursing Home for taking such wonderful care of both John and Sheila. As a token of thanks to the staff, John and Sheila’s motorized chairs have been donated in their names to the BCNH.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Wilkinson-Beane, Inc., PO Box 67 Laconia,NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information or to sign an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.