R. Normand Alie

DOVER - R. Normand Alie, died on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital after a period of declining health. Born on December 9, 1921, in Dover, he was the son of Albert E. and Paula A. (Spenard) Alie.

He attended Dover schools, the University of New Hampshire, Bowman Technical School, and the Gemological Institute of America.

Having played on the undefeated Dover H.S. 1939 football team, Alie later played semi-pro football while at school in Lancaster, Pa. An avid golfer and tennis player, he was also a lifelong spectator sports enthusiast, and for many years a UNH Men's Hockey season's ticket holder, along with two of his brothers.

Alie served in the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Following the war, and after further schooling, he joined with his father and brother, Leo, in the family retail jewelry business in Dover, serving as president from the time of his father's death in 1968 until his retirement in 2002. Alie was a gemologist, jewelry designer, bench jeweler, watchmaker and hand engraver.

As a businessman, Normand set a high standard. He was a Certified Gemologist and Registered Jeweler with the American Gem Society. Over the years he served as a Director of the Jewelers of America, as president of the NH Retail Jewelers Association, president of the Diamond Peacock Club (Boston), and he was a member of the Boston Jewelers' Club, and the New England Guild.

Alie was called upon to represent the jewelry industry in testimony before U.S. Senate Committees regarding small business legislation and, at a later time, regarding precious metal marking requirements.

He was also a past president of the Dover Chamber of Commerce and he served on the Board of Directors of both the Rochester and Portsmouth Chambers of Commerce. He was a past chairman of the Dover Planning Board, and past chairman of the Federal Savings Bank Board of Directors.

He married A. Bernardine O'Kane in 1946, and together they raised seven children before her death in 1988. He married Catherine Lynch in 1999.

As a parent, Normand taught by his example. Although this set a high standard, he was never judgmental.

Mr. Alie is survived by his wife of 16 years, Catherine, by five daughters: Suzanne (and Ronald) Kenney (Nokomis, Fla.), Kathleen Ramsdell (and Robert) Starr (Devon, Pa.), Norma Jill McMaster (Portsmouth), Jennifer (and Jeffrey) Wentworth (Dover), Cynthia Siegel (Conway), and by two sons: Craig (and Diane) (Sudbury, Mass.) and Stephen (Portsmouth); also by Maureen Lynch (and Jack) Collamore (Holyoke, Mass.) Margaret Lynch (Rochester) and Joseph (and Patricia) Lynch (Dover). Mr. Alie is also survived by one brother, Raymond Alie (Hampton), 19 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and several cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, by his first wife, Bernardine, by brothers Robert and Leo Alie, by son-in-law John McMaster, and by Patricia Lynch Flynn.

SERVICES: Calling hours on Thursday evening, June 23, 2016, will be from 5-7 p.m., at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover, N.H. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, June 24, 2016, at St. Mary Church on Chestnut Street, Dover. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one's choice. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.