BELMONT – John Henry Bancroft Sr., 84, of 68 Tioga Drive, died Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Lakes Region General Hospital.
He was born on March 20, 1930 in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of the late James and Mary Ella (Ellsworth) Bancroft. He served in the US Navy during WW II and the Korean Conflict. John worked as a printer since the age of fifteen and was the President of J & J Printing in Laconia and later Gilford. He was an avid dog lover, especially Dobermans. He was a therapy dog volunteer at the New Hampshire Veterans Home and had a passion for the very young and the very old. He was an honorary Kiwanian and worked with a number of service groups. John not only enjoyed family gatherings, but enjoyed Doberman get-togethers also.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carolyn (Alcorn) Bancroft of Belmont, two sons; John H. Bancroft Jr. of Glencliff, NH and Stephen Bancroft of Laconia, three daughters; Linda Bunk and her husband Mickey of Windsor, Conn., Judy Gessford of Simsbury, Conn and Lisa (Manning) Nally and her husband John of Ashland, eight grandchildren; Nichole Bunk Moran and her husband Sean, Molly Gessford, David Gessford, Jacob Bancroft, Sarah Manning, Jennifer Manning, Kyle Manning and John H. Bancroft III, one sister, Eileen Cantrell and her husband Lonnie of East Dover, VT, one sister-in-law, Pamela Kerry of Pawtucket, RI and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Kerry and two sisters; Mary Schultz and Helen Fry.
Calling hours will be held from 9AM to 11AM on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia. A funeral service will immediately follow, also at the funeral home.
A private burial will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central NH VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main St., Laconia, NH 03246 .
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.