Rufus W. Rundlett

Rufus W. Rundlett, age 98, of Orchard Circle in Farmington, died Tuesday evening, June 26, 2007 at Mountain View Nursing Home in Ossipee, NH.

Born March 19, 1909, in Newburyport, Mass., the youngest of three boys, son of the late Charles L. and Estelle (Bartlett) Rundlett, His father was a Civil War vet, died when he was eight, he resided in Farmington, NH since 1928.
He attended local schools. He studied violin under Edward Soroier and sang in the Newbury Episcopal Church. He went to Vaughn's barber School in Boston, Ma. In 1928 he moved to Farmington to work in the baber shop of Elmer Evans and on July 3, 1932, married Blanche A. Roy, a life long resident of Farmington, NH. In the 1930's he directed two minstrel shows for the American Legion.
In 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy and after basic training at Great Lakes Naval training station and further schooling at Quantico, VA, he was stationed on board the DD800, USS Porter, a destroyer based in Attu, Alaska. His job on board ship was a firecontrol man, a position that used the technology of computers to aim and fire the large guns on board ship. After WW II, he returned to Farmington and his barber shop in partnership with Milton Thurston and his father Herbert Thurston. After Milton's death in the early 1950's he worked alone in his shop in the square in Farmington until his retirement in 1994 at the age of 85.
Rufus was one of the original founders of the Farmington Boys (and Girls) club and served as its first president.
During the building phase of the little league field, he, along with the other members who started this program, worked every sunday to get the field in shape for the opening of baseball season. They had to survey the field, build bleachers (done by Andrew Foss), level the land (done by Vickers) seed the grass, (done by Camerons) put in the uprights for the backstop (donated by Everett Emerson) and build a playground. That for the monthly drawings (their main source of income) and for meetings.
A United States Naval Veteran, he served during World War II.

A member and Past President of the former Kiwanis Club of Farmington, a member of the American Legion in Farmington, he had served as Town Treasurer for the Town of Farmington for 15 years and had served on the Board of Directors for Farmington Savings and Loans from 1950's and 1960's. Lifetime member of the VFW, Played the violin with the kingswood club Orchestra, even performing with them on radio show from Portland Maine. He played the violin at local dances and weddings. Played percussion fo Oliver Shaddock and the Allen A Camp's Band at Alton Bay and other locations. Sang in the choir at the Baptist, Congregational and Catholic Churches. Rufus was a avid golfer, (playing at many different clubs with Ralph Parent.) Red Sox fan and musician, playing the violin, percussion and organ at various times. A Great father and Grandfather.

Survivors include his wife Blanche A. (Roy) Rundlett, his daughter Mary A. & husband Daniel G. Morgan of Wolfeboro and 4 grandchildren: Karl R. Morgan and Mark D. Morgan, both of Wolfeboro, Lea J. Morgan of Arlington, MA and Erika M. Morgan of Brooklyn, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 29, 2007 at 10:00 am at St. Peter's Church, 90 Central Street, Farmington, with Fr. W. Pierre Baker, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to Your VNA, 178 Farmington Road, Rochester, NH 03867 or to Mountain View Nursing Home, Route 171, Ossipee, NH 03864. Arrangement are in the care of Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street, Farmington, NH 03835. To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com