GILFORD ---- Howard William Phelps, 83, of Gilford Avenue, passed away at home on Friday, May 29, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer. Howard lived a life of hard work, lots of songs and laughter, and a deep love for the people around him.
Howard was born on April 28, 1943, in Manchester, NH, the son of Maurice Phelps and Irene (Pratt) Phelps. He was raised in Salem, NH and graduated from Woodbury High School. Howard joined the United States Navy and served as a Medical Corpsman from 1961-1965. His military service marked the beginning of his work in the nursing field which he would return to after selling the gas station and convenience store, he operated in Epping, NH for over thirty years.
Freddie’s BP, located on Route 125, in Epping provided employment for many family members, local residents, and high school students. His strong work ethic and organizational skills are frequently mentioned by former employees as helping them become the people they are today. In the 1970s, Howard and his brother-in-law Rick were responsible for coining the phrase, “Epping is the Center of the Universe”, which is still heard today and is even printed on the town fire trucks. Howard had a gift for being exactly where he was needed and, in one memorable moment, during Hurricane Gloria, he delivered a baby in the parking lot.
Howard sold Freddie’s BP in 1999 and returned to his love of nursing, becoming a Licensed Nursing Assistant. He brought his love for helping others, his endless jokes, and his work ethic to the Rockingham County Nursing Home and, after a move to Gilford, NH, continued his work at Laconia Hospital until last summer, bringing lightness to the difficult days of others even through his own illness.
Howard found joy in the simple pleasures – a round of golf, a good card game, vacations with family and friends, and sharing his infamous Dad Jokes. He loved music and was known to break into song, especially, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”, on a regular basis. He shared his love of the performing arts through years of involvement with the Leddy Center in Epping, NH, appearing in productions which included Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fiddler on the Roof, and South Pacific. Howard was also an active and cherished member of his Epping and Hampton church communities.
Above all, Howard was a father and a grandfather in the truest sense – fostering compassion, the importance of helping others, and joy in his children and grandchildren in ways that will last a lifetime.
Howard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith; his four children Wit, Dan (Angie), Amanda, and Nathan (Monique); his grandchildren Ashley, Lauren, Meaghan, Heaven, Christian, Treasure, Cameron, Olivia, Evelyn, Maddie, and Will; and two great-granddaughters, Charlotte and Alice. He is also survived by his brothers Robert and Steve, his sisters Dorothy, Ruthanne and Joyce, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Virginia and his brother Peter.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Epping Community Church, 4 Pleasant St., Epping, NH.
Howard will be laid to rest at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Cure Sanfillippo Foundation in honor of Will Phelps, Howard’s youngest grandson, who was recently diagnosed with this disease. Donations can be made online at Cure Sanfillippo Foundation or sent by check to PO Box 6901, Columbia, SC 29260.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.