Photo courtesy of Peaslee Alton Funeral Home
Alton, New Hampshire
Nov 25, 1950 – Feb 9, 2024
Alton, NH
Brian Charles Crathern, M.D., age 73, passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2024 after a long battle with myelofibrosis with his wife Mary, daughter Kelsey and her fiancé Marc at his bedside. Brian was born November 25, 1950 in Holden, Massachusetts to Neola (Drawbridge) Crathern and Charles Crathern III. The family moved to Contoocook, NH in the 1960s. After graduating from Hopkinton High School in 1968 he went on to McGill University in Montreal, Canada graduating in 1972. Brian went on to Dartmouth Medical School graduating with the class of 1975 and then went on to Southwestern Medical School and graduated with his MD in 1976.
Brian completed his Medical and Surgical residency in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1983. After residency, he spent a year in England as a Surgical Registrar. After he completed his term in England Brian and his wife Mary moved to New Hampshire. Brian started his surgical practice in Berlin, NH then in 1991 he relocated to the Lakes region where he had a surgical practice in Wolfeboro, Laconia and Franklin.
Brian was a compassionate physician and spent several months serving with Doctors Without Borders in Nigeria and South Sudan. He also provided surgical services to a medical mission hospital in Zimbabwe.
Brian leaves behind his best friend and wife of 46 years Mary, his beloved daughter Kelsey and her fiancé, Marc. He also leaves behind his father Charles Crathern, brother Glenn and his wife Sue, his sister-in-law Chris Crathern, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Neil (2016) and Scott (2023) and his mother, Neola (2023).
Brian will be remembered as a kind, generous and compassionate person. He supported several educational institutions and numerous charities. He was an avid hiker, hiking all 4000 footers in NH along with many hundreds of miles on the International Appalachian Trail and completing the pilgrimage of Camino de Santiago. A lover of the outdoors, Brian enjoyed skiing, hunting and fishing and was a skilled private pilot. He had a great sense of adventure and traveled around the world with his wife Mary, but truly loved his home on Lake Winnipesaukee, where he proudly tended to his garden. Brian also loved reading, history, and he was an excellent cribbage player. To know Brian was to love Brian; he will be missed dearly by all his friends and family.
A celebration of life will take place later this year.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders.
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com
Read MoreDear Mary, Glenn and I just learned of Brian's passing and offer our sincere condolences to you and Kelsey. We will always remember you and Brian and the times we shared in and out of work. He was a kind and generous surgeon and blessed many people with his skill and dedication. May you keep Bryan close in your heart through the wonderful memories of times you shared. May God give you and your family peace. Donna and Glenn
Donna Gagne
April 27, 2024 | Friend
I knew Brian at McGill where we became good friends in a very short time. He was a good example to all of us then. Always fun-loving, but always in control. He was gentle, intelligent (in several ways) and generous. His winning personality won him a number of friends of which I am proud to say I was one.
Barry Munholland
March 18, 2024 | Oakville, ON | Friend
I am so sorry for your loss, Mary and Kelsey.
I just learned today of Brian’s passing.
We had fun times at Huggins! Brian was a joy and a kind man. Brian had a true twinkle in his eyes and a wonderful smile.
Lisa Conant
March 11, 2024 | Tuftonboro, NH | Friend
My Dearest Brian, my husband. You were the smartest ,most talented, most hard working, and kind, generous, compassionate person I have ever known. I miss you everyday and I feel your presence still. I love you forever. Mary
Mary Crathern
March 03, 2024
I met Brian when he traveled to Israel with his cousin Lynn in 2017. Lynn wanted to see the work I was a part of for women and children in distress. She has been a great encourager, and I believed in the work for many years!
Brian was so kind to me, my Director, and one of the students that was hanging around after classes. He and Lynn even bought jewelry my students made in support of our work. And then he took me and Lynn out to lunch, which was very unexpected! He had a good...
Stacey Trobman
March 02, 2024 | Arad, Israel | Friend
We were greatly saddened to hear of Dr. Crathern’s passing. He was a wonderful Dr. & person & we were blessed to know him. Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Our thoughts & prayers are w/you all at this time. God’s peace & comfort be upon you. In His Love, John & Janice Gray
Janice Gray
February 27, 2024 | Tuftonboro, NH
Mary so sorry for your loss of Brian. A wonderful person. May he RIP. Craig and Cindy Patten
Cindy Patten
February 22, 2024 | Wolfeboro, NH | Friend
I met Brian and Mary in 1979. I was a wide-eyed surgery intern and Brian was my funny,smart, compassionate but realistic senior resident. What a great teacher he was to me! Both Brian and Mary were gracious social hosts and made those resident years such fun. It’s hard to believe the world is without that fabulous smile. Thank you Brian for being such a stellar mentor and friend. Love and hugs to Mary, Kelsey and all of Brian’s family and friends
Nita Ellis
February 20, 2024 | Evergreen, CO | Friend
Brian, Mary and I have been friends for 45 years. We met at UMMC as Brian began his Surgical Residency and Mary and I began our Nursing careers in Pediatrics. We enjoyed traveling together and boating on the lake. Mary and Brian became part of my family. Brian was kind and generous. We will deeply miss Brian and send our heartfelt condolences to Mary, Kelsey and Marc. May you always be at peace knowing that your love and care for Brian comforted him always. With our deepest sympathy,...
Carol & Steve Bellinghausen
February 17, 2024 | Friend
