Photo courtesy of Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service, LLC - New London
New London, New Hampshire
Jun 26, 1936 – Jan 13, 2022 (Age 85)
New London, NH - Jack Harvey Tate passed away very peacefully at New London Hospital on January 13, 2022, at the age of 85 with his life partner and husband at his side.
He was born in Denver, Colorado on June 26, 1936 to Vernon H. Tate and Ruby E. (Templin) Tate. He graduated from Englewood (CO) High School and attended the University of Denver where he graduated with a degree in music and theatre. During his college days he made his concert debut with the Englewood Symphony Orchestra performing the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor. Although classical music was one of Jack’s passions and he loved the piano, he decided that the hours of solitary practice didn’t fit his social personality. One of his great joys was being around people and making them laugh. He also traveled to the military bases in Japan, Korea and other bases in the Pacific Rim, with the USO/American Educational Theater Association, entertaining the troops. He served 8 years with the 532nd Air Force National Guard Band. In 1960 Jack met his life partner and future husband Donald Boxwell.
In 1963 he and Don moved to Southern California where he worked as a Motion Picture Theater Manager. Among the theaters he managed, his favorites were the Pantages, The Stanley Warner Hollywood and the Cinerama Dome. After 18 years of enjoying the California sunshine and lifestyle, they moved to the quiet town of Hillsboro, NH and opened an antique shop (Tatewell Gallery). During the winter months they traveled the east coast and mid-west doing antique shows. When the move was made to New London in 2002, Tatewell Gallery moved with them as an art gallery and custom frame shop.
After the move to New Hampshire, the joy of theatre brought him to the New London Barn Playhouse and when not taking tickets at the balcony door or setting up the concession stand, he could be found on stage performing in, among other shows, Gypsy, 42nd Street, The Mousetrap, Mame, Crazy for You, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. Local audiences also have enjoyed him in the Newport Opera House productions of Oliver (Fagin), Annie Get Your Gun (Buffalo Bill), and You Can’t Take it With You (Grandpa) as well as many productions of the Sunapee Kearsarge Intercommunity Theatre (SKIT).
Jack loved traveling, and he and Don spent many happy times on the road doing antique shows or just vacationing. Seven vacations were spent in Victoria, British Columbia and there were two wonderful trips to London with theatre folk.
Jack is predeceased by his mother, father, brother, Vernon T. Tate and half-sister, Ruby Y. (Clement) Terrell. Surviving family members include his husband and life partner of 62 years, Donald Boxwell, sisters-in-law Gloria (Talley) Tate and Barbara Boxwell, brother-in-law George Boxwell, nephew Alan Tate, nieces Gina Workman, Miriam Nordstrom, Becky Blair, and Shelda Murray.
Friends may call at Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London, NH on Saturday Jan 29, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 P.M. We respectfully request that all visitors wear a mask.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 52 Gould Road, New London, NH. (masked, distanced and ventilated). A recording of the service will be available on the St. Andrew's, New London YouTube channel within 48 hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, "Music Ministry" in the memo line, P.O.Box 294, New London, NH. 03257
Interment will be on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. in the Kelsey Memorial Garden at St. Andrew's.
We are saddened by the news of Jack's passing. I didn't know of any time that the two of you weren't together. I was pleased that he wanted me to come to work for him at the Picwood. So many fond memories . . Don, our prayers for your peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Keith and Cheryl Devereaux
February 01, 2022 | Friend
Dear Don, We just heard of Jack's passing. We will miss his ready smile when visiting the gallery. I remember Jack's eyes lighting up not too long ago when I mentioned playing the piano and we then held a brief conversation about how much we both loved playing classical piano music. This was just before the pandemic hit in full force and I had wondered if Jack could sit down at my piano what he might play. Sadly, that will never happen, but it was a joy to read that his concert debut was...
Elizabeth D'Amico
January 31, 2022 | Springfield, NH | Friend
No one appreciated a good (or bad) pun as much as Jack did! Puns always made us think of Jack and when we come across them in the future, we know we will remember him with love and laughter. ♥♥
Jay & Linda Lambert
January 30, 2022 | Wilmot, NH | Friend
Dear Don: How saddened we were to hear of Jack's passing and want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of great loss. Your journey together as partners and soulmates has a beautiful history with so many wonderful memories. We trust that those memories will give you much comfort and peace during your journey through grief and loss. With much love, F & K
Cousin Faith & Knowlton
January 29, 2022 | Family
Dearest Don,
Sending you much love, I am so sorry to hear this. Jack always had a positive word and a smile even in the depths of production. How lucky I was to have him in my cast not once or twice but three times! I'll always remember during Crazy For You and I finally finished staging the last scene the Saturday before we opened, I was stressed and apologetic. A break came and he put his arm around me and said: "I don't know what you're worried about, last time we did this show at...
Hans Friedrichs
January 28, 2022 | New York, NY | Friend
I loved working with Jack and Don at The Barn, as well as seeing them in their shop and around town. Always saddened when another bright light goes out. Thinking of you, Don.
Jeanne Barrett
January 28, 2022 | Andover, NH | Acquaintance
Dear Don, we were so sorry to hear about your dear Jack. We are out of town and want you to know we would have been there for support. May his memory be eternal! Lisa & Greg Uhrin
Lisa & Greg Uhrin
January 28, 2022 | Newbury, NH | Friend
Had the pleasure of doing Fiddler on the Roof with Jack -- he was such a sweet man.
Love to you.... Dorothy Daltorio
Dorothy Daltorio
January 27, 2022 | Croydon, NH | Acquaintance
So sorry to hear about Jack. You are in our thoughts and prayers. You and he are part of our wonderful memories of the "old" Barn and of church. God bless you.
Don and Betty Ellwood, Vernon, CT. 06066
January 24, 2022 | Other
