Robert J. Stratton, 74, of Oak St., Derry died Saturday May 31, 2003 in Manchester following a lengthy illness. Bob, as he was known, was born in Jaffrey, NH on June 24, 1928, a son of the late Charles L. and Jennie (Nelson) Stratton. He was raised and educated in Jaffrey,and had resided in Derry for most of his adult life. He graduated from Conant High School in Jaffrey and later attended Becker Jr. College in Worcester, MA. Bob served in the US Navy during WWII and was a life member of the V.F.W. Post 5613 in Jaffrey. He was a member of the American Legion Lester Chase Post #9 in Derry. Bob was a 50 year member of St. Mark’s Lodge #44 F & AM of Derry and served as Worshipful Master in 1963. He was a member of the NH Consistory, Valley of Nashua. He also held membership in the Bektash Temple having been a founder of the Bektash Temple Guard. He served three terms with the NH House of Representatives.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley R. (Peabody) Stratton of Derry, his daughter, Zoe Summer of Columbia, MO, his son, Jeffery Stratton and his wife Kathleen of Lyndeborough, his brother, Samuel Stratton of Naples, FL, his sister, Joan Bento of Jaffrey, also several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday June 4th at 1:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry. Calling hours will be Tuesday evening from 6 - 8pm in the funeral home with St. Mark's Lodge offering a Masonic ritual at 7:30pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 9 Cedarwood Dr., Unit 12, Bedford, NH 03110.