Manchester– Lt. Colonel Raymond E. Closson, US Army Ret., passed away December 1, 2011 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Fairmont, WV the son of Andrew M. and Edith (Adams) Closson on March 29, 1920. He attended Fairmont West High and graduated from George Washington University's Benjamin Franklin School of Accounting in Washington, DC. He was also a graduate of the Utility Executive Program of the Graduate School of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
After graduation he worked in Washington DC and was called to service in the US Army. He received a commission and served in Germany where he was captured as a prisoner of war in the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his liberation he was stationed in NH where he served as a Recruiting Officer and where he met and married Helen Pelletier of Berlin, NH..
After his discharge he went to work for Public Service of NH from which he retired as Vice President after 38 years. He continued in the military serving 19 years in the National Guard.
During his work years he became an extraordinary volunteer in the communities in which he lived. He was a member of the Whitefield School Board and Trustee of the Franklin Regional Hospital. He was President of the Manchester Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the Parent’s Committee at Derryfield School.
He was the first State Chairman of Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve. Mr. Closson served as President and Trustee of the Elliot Hospital, Chairman and Director of Health Northeast, Chairman and Director of the Board of Dartmouth Bancorp Inc..
Elliot Hospital honored him as the first recipient of the William S. Green Award for Excellence. His work at the Elliot Hospital was a special part of his life.
He served 36 years as a Director of the Southern NH Planning Commission. The Commission honored him by recognizing his many years of service by presenting a special award in his name each year to a deserving regional planner.
He worked on Capital Fund raising efforts for Elliot Hospital, Derryfield School, Girls Club of Manchester, the Currier Gallery of Art, the United Way and the Weston Observatory Restoration Committee.
Mr. Closson was recognized for his community service by being presented with the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award in 1980 which is given by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Closson loved his family and enjoyed teaching each of his grandchildren how to swim.
Although he loved golf, family had a priority. He was a devoted husband and great companion with a wonderful sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife or 65 years, Helenof Manchester; two sons, Steven Closson and his wife Marilyn of Poland springs, ME., Brooks Closson of Milford and his ex-wife Jean of Nashua; six grandchildren, Andrew and his wife Sara, Sarah and her husband Todd, Matthew Closson, James St. Cyr and his wife Claire, Emily and Chelsea Closson, four great-grandchildren Ellie and Luke Gagne, Annabelle and Julia Closson.
There are no calling hours.
Services: A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday December 7, 2011 at 10:30 AM in St. Catherine Church.. Committal services and Military Honors will follow in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Elliot Hospital, 1 Elliot Way, Manchester, NH 03103.
For more information and online guest book please visit www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.