Herbert Sumner Sears

NORTH CONWAY – Herbert Sumner Sears died peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. He was 89. He was a resident of the Merriman House. Sumner's last days were spent surrounded by his family reminiscing about his adventures skiing, running road races, hiking, drumming, cheering on his grandchildren in their activities, and listening to his beloved jazz music.

He was born Sept. 27, 1926, in Lynn, Mass., to Herbert V. and Bertha M. Sears and raised in Saugus, Mass. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Richard, and his wife Anna Josephine "Jo" (Ouellette) Sears, also a resident of the Merriman House, who died July 11, 2015.

Sumner loved jazz music from his early high school days, playing the drums in bands for school and community dances.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and began his service in 1944. After training in Massachusetts, Mississippi and Texas, he joined the 724th Army Air Force Band in North Carolina, where he played until it was disbanded in 1946. He ended his military career playing in Air Force bands in Louisiana, California and Arizona.

In 1947, Sumner met his future wife, Jo, while skiing. They were married at St. Pius V Church in Lynn, Mass., on May 6, 1951, and raised their family in Lynn.

In 1948, Sumner, Jo and friends built their log cabin on Town Hall Road in Bartlett. They spent weekends and vacations at the cabin, skiing and hiking with their three daughters and many friends.

Sumner worked as a quality control engineer at Sylvania in Salem, Clevite Electronics in Waltham, and retired from Raytheon in Quincy, Mass. He earned his B.S. degree in industrial management from Northeastern University in 1971.

He was a member of the Boston Musician's Union for many years, playing the drums with jazz and swing bands nights and weekends, earning money for family season ski passes.

Sumner and Jo were very active in the Lynn Snow Chasers. Sumner was a president and coordinator of its youth racing program. He also competed in ski races, winning many trophies.

Sumner was an avid runner and belonged to the Lynn Athletic Club. He ran many races, including the Boston Marathon three times.

Upon retirement to the cabin in 1987, Sumner skied every day possible with Jo in New Hampshire, Colorado, Alaska and with friends in Europe. He and Jo were members of the Attitash Senior Skiers club. Later, he participated in New Hampshire and Maine NASTAR ski races with the Mountain Meisters.

Following Jo's move to the Merriman House in 2000, Sumner visited Jo daily and was active in the Alzheimer's Support Group for many years, while continuing to run, ski, hike and drum well into his 80s.

Survivors include daughters Patricia Sears Doherty (Joseph) of Albany, N.Y., Mary Jane Pierce (Michael) of Tigard, Ore., and Judith Sears Houston of Contoocook; nine grandchildren: Meaghan and Caitlin Doherty; Matthieu, Zachary (Melinda), Nathan (fiancée Rebecca), Diana and Antonia Pierce; Abigail and Madelyn Houston; and two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Aurora Pierce; and a nephew, Dr. R. Scott Sears (Jennifer) and their five children of Norfolk, Va.

Sumner's family deeply appreciates the wonderfully compassionate and attentive caregivers, nurses, staff and volunteers at the Merriman House. They also thank the Hospice volunteers for their exceptional assistance during his final journey.

A wake will be held Friday, April 29, 6 to 9 p.m. at Furber and White Funeral Home, White Mountain Highway, North Conway. A funeral service will be celebrated Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, Pine Street, North Conway. Burial will be in Garland Ridge Cemetery in Bartlett.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sumner's name to the Merriman House or to the Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine.