PORTSMOUTH - Harold A. Hapgood, 78, of Bluefish Blvd., died Dec. 22, 2011, at Hyder Family Hospice House, Dover.

He was born Feb. 15, 1933, in Lancaster, son of the late Frederick A. and Dorothy (Johnson) Hapgood.

He graduated from Stratford High School in 1949, received his bachelor's degree in education from Keene State College in 1954 and a master's degree in education from KSC in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He spent his life working for improvement in others' lives, in education and government, as a teacher and coach in New Boston, teacher and school principal in Lebanon, assistant director of the N.H. Office of Economic Opportunity, director of the Head Start Training Center and director of the Seacoast Region for the College for Lifelong Learning (now Granite State College) until his retirement in 1994. He also served on the board of the Rockingham County Community Action program and the Pierce Island commission.

After his retirement he spent many years in Culebra, Puerto Rico, where he made many dear friends and found his devoted canine companion, Puma, who was with him to the end. He also was able to travel extensively with his wife Nancy and enjoyed the culture and history of the places they visited. Upon returning to Portsmouth he worked as a volunteer for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program and was a deacon at the North Church. He was a lifelong sports fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and UNH sports teams, especially the UNH basketball program, as well as a dedicated fan of the sports teams of his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was predeceased by his wife of 34 years, Nancy (Kelsey) Hapgood, who died in 2007, and his first wife, Marjorie (Davis) Neveu, who died in 1998.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Daniel Hett of N. Berwick, Maine, sons and daughters-in-law Jerry and Renee Hapgood of Reno, Nev., and Jeffrey and Martha Hapgood of Chichester. Also by stepson Jim Brower, stepson and wife Lloyd and Jessie Brower, stepdaughters Barbara Brower, Aen Brauer, stepdaughter and husband Catherine and Bill Gierke, a brother and sister-in-law Frederick and Lynn Hapgood; grandchildren Valerie, Timothy, Taylor, Bailey, Cole, Jackson and Haley and step-grandchildren Christy, Jennifer, Kady, James and Derek along with a nephew and nieces.

There are no calling hours.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am Friday, Jan. 6, at the North Church of Portsmouth (UCC), 2 Congress St (Market Square) NH 03801. Burial will be in the family cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123-1718 or Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.

For an online remembrance book, visit kentandpelczarfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Hapgood

7 Entries

John Porter

December 21, 2020

I've mentioned to the family before that I was a student at Lebanon Junior High School when Mr. Hapgood was a history teacher and principal. He encouraged me to go to college, and that is one reason that now I work part-time as a guidance counselor in my retirement to also direct students toward higher education.
- John Porter, Lebanon High School, '67.

John Porter

December 21, 2019

Mr. Hapgood's guidance to me when I was in Junior high school literally changed my life. In eighth grade I signed up for the vocational track for high school, and he took me aside and told me I could do better than that. He refused to take my course registration and talked to my folks and finally got me to sign up for a combination of college prep and vocational training.

I went on to get a BS degree from UNH; MS from Cornell University; MS from Bob Jones University. I've worked for UNH Cooperative Extension as a dairy specialist for a total of 45 years (13 years part-time after retirement) and published three books.

Mr. Hapgood was a very special person to me. I've always been very grateful for the interest he showed in a farm boy who didn't even have the money to go to college at the time, but God later provided the funds in a miraculous way, and I graduated from college debt-free. I used to enjoy running into him at UNH hockey games and reminiscing.

John Porter- Lebanon High School 1967; UNH 1971; Cornell 1973; Bob Jones University. 2005.

GSC

December 31, 2011

A wish for hope and for comfort...a wish for strength from the love and support that surround you.

Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

The President, Staff and Faculty at Granite State College

John Porter

December 29, 2011

To the Hapgood family- I want to express my sympathy to you for the recent loss of your dad. I grew up in Lebanon and he was my history teacher in the 8th and 9th grades. He is the one who encouraged me to sign up for college-prep in high school, and I went one to get a BS degree at UNH; Masters at Cornell and Masters at Bob Jones University. He change the entire path of my life. John Porter, Boscawen, NH

Katie Charleston

December 28, 2011

Sue and family, I am sorry to hear of the loss of a great man! I remember him back years ago when I use to babysit for you! He is now watching over all of you and no longer suffering! You are all in my prayers and thoughts

Katie Charleston (Boston)

Barney Keenan

December 28, 2011

So sad to hear. A dear friend and dedicated educator. My sincere sympathies to Harold's family. Please know he had many friends and colleagues in the North Country. I remember fondly the last time he came up north with Jack Cavanaugh just two years ago to celebrate our work at a reception at my home. He loved it up here and was always so concerned about access and opportunity for North Country folks. He guided the early assessments that eventually formed the Conway and Littleton Centers and his legacy remains today with the many adult learners who live “north of the notches” and have completed their college degree and now give back to their community.

For Harold, that's just what he would have wanted.

The Staff of Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home

December 27, 2011

Offering our deepest condolences at this difficult time.

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