Alfred T. "Heppy" Hepworth, 93, of Derry, NH died peacefully, after a long illness, on Friday, November 3, 2006 at Haven Health Center of Derry. He was the beloved husband of Marion A. (Morrison) Hepworth who pre-deceased him only 5 months ago. Born in Derry on April 19, 1913, a son of the late Oliver H. and Lucy (Tootell) Hepworth. Mr. Hepworth was a 93 year lifelong resident of Derry. He graduated with the class of 1931 from Pinkerton Academy, where sports played a major role. At Pinkerton he was a basketball star, a football standout, a baseball star and Captain of the team his Senior year, and received seven major letters, two in football, two in baseball and three in basketball. While at Pinkerton he was also the Critic business manager for two years, voted Most Popular Boy and Best Looking Boy by classmates, prepared and delivered Class history at graduation, and was Pinkerton Alumnus Class correspondent. He graduated with the class of 1933 from Williston Academy, where he was a three-sport standout. He also attended the University of New Hampshire where he was a three-sport participant. Mr. Hepworth also played semi pro basketball and baseball in Derry, and played in the Derry Sunset Baseball League for 5 – 6 years. He was a key player in the Merrimack Valley Baseball League for 5 – 6 years, and was a major player for the Granites Basketball Team for 4 – 5 years, which was modeled after the Harlem Globetrotters. Mr. Hepworth also won the Lawrence Eagle Tribune Tennis Tournament; was a Derry Recreation Dept. coach for basketball and baseball, and was an exceptionally dedicated Pinkerton sports fan. In 2000, he was inducted into the Pinkerton Hall of Fame. Mr. Hepworth served in the US Army during WWII, was a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons where he was a Master Mason, and was a pilot for several years.
In his 40+ year professional career he achieved the position of Chief Inspector of Agriculture for the state of N.H., a position from which he retired in 1977. As a “second job” he also established and maintained Hepworth Memorials for over 30+ years, a very successful and well respected monument business in Derry. In conjunction with this job, he served as a Forest Hill Cemetery Trustee for over 20 years. He was an active member of the former Derry Athletic Association (DAA), a member of the Hoodkroft Country Club in Derry, and was an American Legion member for many years. He was proud of having built his own cottage on Beaver Lake, was a member of the Beaver Lake Improvement Association, and was proud of his rose garden. He was an avid Cribbage player, an exceptional Poker player, a solid Bridge player, and was an avid Red Sox fan. He loved Derry and was content with all it offered.
Mr. Hepworth will be remembered for his accomplishments as a Pinkerton Athlete. His post Pinkerton, Williston, UNH and Semi Professional athletic activities are outstanding and in some cases legendary. He was a person of high values and integrity, respected and well liked by all, easy going, a good husband, a model father for his three children, and definitely a person who has made a difference to his family, community, and to the State of NH.
He is survived by two sons, Kenneth Hepworth and his wife Jacqueline of Derry, Carl Hepworth and his wife Gail of Londonderry, one daughter, Marsha Solms and her husband Chuck of The Villages, FL, seven grandchildren, and one great grandson.
Following cremation, calling hours were held on Wednesday, November 8th from 5 – 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A memorial service was held on Thursday at 10:00 at the First Parish Church, 47 E. Derry Rd., E. Derry. The burial followed in the Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry, with a reception following in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Pinkerton Academy Athletics, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry, NH 03038.