Jack Tate

Jack Tate

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. (Masks and distancing required) (Recording of the service available on YouTube St. Andrew's, New London channel Feb 2nd)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Music Ministry, P.O. Box 294, New London, NH. 03257

Interment will be at a later date at St. Andrews Episcopal Church's Kelsey Memorial Garden.