Gilford - Peter A. Dole, 62, of 41 Hazelnut Rd., Gilford, N.H died August 18th, 2011.
Born in Claremont N.H., he was the son of William A. Dole and Charlotte M. Woodman.
Peter had been a resident of Gilford since 1984. He previously resided in Keene and Claremont. He served in the Army National Guard for 7 years with the 744th transportation company.
He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1971 as a history teacher, but shortly thereafter began a life-long career in the grocery business. He worked for P & C Foods, Inc and Wetterau, Inc before purchasing his first grocery store, Farm Fare IGA, in 1984 in Laconia, N.H. His company eventually owned 12 supermarkets, and in 1992 he was voted New Hampshire Retail Grocer of the Year.
He was a member of the Congregational Church of Laconia, and a former member of the Laconia Rotary Club. He served as a Board of Director for the Lakes Region United Way, the N.H Retail Grocers Association, and Associated Grocers of New England.
Peter enjoyed reading, and was an avid baseball and football fan. He also enjoyed playing Farmville. His hobbies included model railroading and baseball card collecting. He was also very fond of his cats, and "spoiled them rotten"!
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Beverly M. Dole of Gilford; two daughters, Kimberly Lovely of Laconia and Heather Tinker and her husband Eric of Center Harbor, 4 grandchildren, Jordan and Taylor Lovely and Kalee and Justin Tinker, a sister Susan Carter and husband John of Belmont, and 3 nieces and 2 nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Christopher Dole in 1992, and Jeffrey Dole in 2003.
Calling hours will be held from 4PM to 6PM on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance. Funeral services will be held at 10AM on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Congregational Church of Laconia, 69 Pleasant Street, Laconia with Associate Pastor Paula Gile officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilford, with a reception following back at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the N.H Humane Society, Po Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247-0572 or to any organization that helps feed hungry children.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com