Laconia---Herbert F. Stover, 88, of Laconia died May 26, 2013, at Lakes Region General Hospital.
Herbert “Smokey” was born in Brooklyn, NY, on January 8, 1925. He was the son of Elsie (Gatje) and Herbert Stover. He attended schools in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn Tech at the age of 17. As the United States was at war, “Smokey” enlisted in the Navy as an aviation electrician’s mate. After his discharge in 1946, he enrolled and graduated from Columbia University. He was then hired by Eastern Air Lines and served in various capacities for 37 years finishing his career as #1 senior captain while based in Boston.
In 1975, he met and married Joni (Ballard) Dow, a loving union of 38 years.
After mandatory retirement from Eastern Air Lines at age 60, “Smokey” filled his retirement years with building projects, with a run for the city council, with a brief stint in real estate and with several terms on the YMCA Board of Directors. Twenty five winters were spent at the couple’s retirement home in Fort Myers, Fla. Golf remained a favorite pastime. As a member and trustee of the Laconia Congregational Church, he volunteered many hours wherever needed.
“Smokey” was predeceased by a younger brother, Arthur, of Gold Beach, Oregon, and one son, Scot Nelson Stover, of Port Charlotte, Florida. He is survived by two children, Lorinda Steadman and husband, John, of Gilbert, AZ. and a son, Herbert Frederick Stover III “Rick”of Lake Mary, Florida. He is also survived by four step-children: Brenda Daniels and husband, Dennis, of Derry, NH; John H. Dow of Alphareta, GA; Linda Hayes and husband, Todd, of Webster, NY, and Mary K. Dow and companion, Leigh Studley of Richmond, Vt.
Grandchildren and step-grandchildren include Dillon Stover, Brian, Emma and Sarah Hayes and Lindsey Daniels.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:00AM the Laconia Congregational Church, 69 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H. with visitation afterwards.
Burial will follow at 2:30PM at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Rte 3, Boscawen, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, please give memorial donations to the Dorcas Fund of the Laconia Congregational Church, 18 Veterans Square, Laconia, NH, 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.