BELMONT — Wade Lee Lemmon, 77, of Brown Hill Road, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Concord Hospital in Laconia.
Wade was born on December 8, 1947, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of the late Henry and Jessie (Guzel) Lemmon.
Anyone who met Wade knew they were in for a story—likely a long one—about his family or his adventures. He was never at a loss for words and had a deep love for nature and the wilderness. After serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force, Wade used his GI Bill to earn a bachelor's degree in education with a focus on Parks and Recreation.
Wade pursued a diverse and fulfilling career. He served as Director of Parks and Recreation in Wolfeboro, NH, worked as a General Manager in the hotel industry, held a position at Aavid Thermalloy, and later found joy as a lift operator at Gunstock Ski Area.
If Wade wasn’t backpacking through the White Mountains, fishing local streams, hunting deep in the New Hampshire woods, or skiing the slopes, you’d find him buried in a good book. His passion for life was contagious, and he touched everyone he met with a good story and cheerful conversation. His love for New Hampshire—his chosen home since 1977—was unmistakable, and he especially cherished the White Mountains and the Cape Cod coastline.
Wade had two previous marriages that brought him his greatest pride: his children. He is survived by his son Josh Lemmon and his wife and his daughter Capt. Morgan Arnone and her husband.
He will also be lovingly remembered by his longtime partner Cheryl Kjellander and her children: stepson Stephan Kjellander and wife, stepdaughter Lori Bernier and her husband and four grandchildren: Jacob, Tuckerman, Rosie and Amalia.
In lieu of flowers, Wade asked that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior, Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
There will be no calling hours.
A private memorial service with military honors will be held by the family.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00am and will be open to the public, at Gunstock Mountain Resort, in the Powder Keg Pub, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH 03249.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.