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Roger Sanborn Obituary
Boscawen, NH - Roger Wheeler Sanborn, 76, a lifelong resident of Boscawen, NH passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024, at the Granite VNA Hospice House, following a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born to Roger Colby Sanborn and Dorothy Raleigh Wheeler Sanborn, Roger was a proud dairy farmer and a pillar of the community that he so dearly loved. Roger was married to his beloved wife, Adele V. Sanborn for 50 years, and together they raised two sons: Christopher Sanborn and Benjamin Sanborn.
Roger was a graduate of Concord High School and held his Associate of Science from University of New Hampshire and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho. Roger dedicated his life to the service of his family, friends, and his community. Roger joyfully served Boscawen as a member of the Zoning Board, Agriculture Committee, Old Home Day, 1913 Library Committee, Boscawen Bicentennial Committee, Community Gardens, and longtime selectman for Boscawen. Additionally, he served with the Boscawen Fire Department, retiring as a Captain. Roger was a life member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Roger's memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: his wife Adele; his children Christopher and wife Molly, Benjamin and wife Kim; his sister Betsy Millard; along with many nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be held at the First Congregational Church of Webster on Saturday, August 17th at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Roger's name to the Penacook Rescue Squad, Boscawen Fire Dept., or Granite VNA Hospice House.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Sanborn
26 Entries
Judith Rutty Godfrey
August 24, 2024
Oh Adele, I am deeply sorry at the loss of Roger. He was always so kind, jovial and simply....a wonderful man. Deepest sympathies to you and family.
Dave Bonner
August 21, 2024
Roger was one of the best. I´m sorry that I missed his wake. I thought it was on the 18th. He and you Adelle and family are in my thoughts and prayers..
Sher & Kirke
August 19, 2024
Adele you were so good with Roger through thick and thin. You are surrounded by so many who love you. If there is anything we can do just point us in the right direction. Love Sher & Kirke
David Bonner
August 18, 2024
Roger, sorry I missed you today. You were one of the best. I´m sorry I missed your funeral today. For some reason I thought it was on the 18th. Anyway I´ve said a lot of prayer s for you
Susan Huppi
August 16, 2024
Dear Adele I am thinking of you and you family. I am so sorry for your loss. I know you married your best friend and have good memories of your wonderful marriage. Sending my love to you all. Susan Huppi
Fred Goodnow
August 16, 2024
I remember Roger from when I first started 4-H at the age of 8 or 9. He was always there to give encouragement and get you started in the right direction. Even when I got older and moved back to Boscawen in 2016, he helped by letting me fill up his trailer with stuff from our family home and then he took it to the transfer station. He spent his life helping so many people and will be missed by so many. Thank you, Roger
Julie Richtarik
August 15, 2024
Dear Adele and family,
It breaks my heart to hear of Roger´s passing. Roger was a wonderful, caring, kind and very giving person. I loved working with him at the Post Office and he brightened everyone´s day.My daughter´s and I loved hearing of his family history, seeing and appreciating items of his past generations, wagon rides and making maple candy. We were truly blessed to have known Roger. We are keeping you
all in our hearts and prayers.
John E Pillsbury
August 15, 2024
john pillsbury here. roger was my dads best friend. i grew up with roger being a mentor and one to always look up to. he was my teacher at mvhs, he was a mentor when i was into to draft horses with sonny nelson and horses mike and joe. after together again with plow rallies at john herrick's with my current flame sue herrick. i was always honored to harness his team. roger was a true boscawen boy. i love him, my family loves him. he is with my dad now jack pillsbury. i bought my two first cars and jobs through him at betsy and mike mallard. i am very thankful for being part of your world.
Elizabeth Moulton
August 14, 2024
Dear Adele, Chris, Ben and family,
I´m so sad to learn of your loss. He leaves a wonderful legacy.
With love, Elizabeth Moulton
Jim Milliken
August 14, 2024
Adele and Family
/Betsy I'm sorry for your loss.
Jim
Susan Croft
August 13, 2024
Sending my heartfelt condolences to Adele, Chris, Ben, and family. I knew Roger to be a wealth of knowledge, very generous and caring, and always smiling. He loved Boscawen and served in many capacities. I had the honor to see him in action when I was on a member of a couple committees.
I would stop by when his mom Dorothy had things set out in front of their home to sell. Roger would always come out to say hi and ask about my family.
The town has truly lost a once in a life time gentleman who gave his all in everything he accomplished. My heart aches for Adele, Chris, Ben, and family. May your memories always keep him close and your hearts heal from them. With much love, Sue.
Jane Farley Simonds
August 13, 2024
Dear Adele, We are so sorry for you. Bless your heart. We are thinking of you and your family!
With love, Jane and Bill
Jenny, Rich, and Arielle Greenleaf
August 13, 2024
Adele, we are holding you all in our hearts at this sad time. Words fail, but love prevails-may you be lifted and held always in this true love that never loses its shine.
Joanne Wise
August 13, 2024
May your incredible talent and loving family keep you moving forward. Fondly, Joanne
William Upton
August 13, 2024
My deepest sympathy to all the Sanborn family. I have so many wonderful memories of the longstanding associations between our families. Roger will be very much missed.
William Upton
Bob and Shirley Tetreault
August 12, 2024
Heart felt condolences to Adele and family. Roger was an asset to Boscawen that can´t be replaced. We remember him visiting whenever his Mom was at her family home or when he brought the horses up. He would always stop in and say hello or ask if we wanted to ride with him. It was always a treat in the winter in the sleigh. We miss N Water St.
Serrano family
August 12, 2024
Roger was a great man with a huge heart. My son worked for Roger for several years. Roger taught him so much! He learned farming, how to drive the tractors, draft horses and plowing. They talked about potato farming and raising chickens. As they cleaned the barn he learned about every old tool and equipment in there. They talked about firefighting and military. Roger showed up to some track meets he had. He was wonderful role model to both my children as was Adele. I´m so sorry to hear of his passing and he will be missed. Our deepest sympathy to Adele, Chris, Ben and family.
Hilda Gilbert Pfeil
August 12, 2024
Roger W. and the Sanborn family were wonderful neighbors and helpful to everyone. He will be missed in Boscawen.
Elaine Clow
August 12, 2024
It's difficult to imagine life in Boscawen without Roger stirring the pot somewhere; his shoes will be hard to fill. He and Betsy always have been there from about age 5 as part of the "Plains Kids" until now, usually with an opinion and sometimes previously unexplored knowledge of the history of "our town." His horses, cows, donkeys and other livestock made our childhood interesting. The horse-drawn equipment you brought to the community garden enabled its existence. You will be missed. Elaine Clow (friend, school, and various town committees)
Lorrie Carey and the Carey-Matthews Family
August 12, 2024
Roger was our neighbor and my longtime colleague on Selectboard. He loved being involved in the community, inspiring young people through 4-H and helping with Senior Projects. He spent nearly four decades with the Boscawen Volunteer Fire Department along with serving on Zoning Board, Agriculture Committee, Old Home Day, 1913 Library Committee, Community Gardens and anything else you asked him to help out with. He helped start the summer parks program for Boscawen youth. He plowed the fields with his draft horses for the Boscawen Community Gardens each year. And he loved those draft horses like they were his children. Many people walking and driving down King Street would see Roger out in the yard caring for his horses and, of course, giving them treats.
He was always rewarding folks who helped out with ice cream and apple pie or apple crisp from Richardson's Farm NH. Those were his favorite treats! And even when he wasn't feeling well, he always had a smile and a story to tell. He was always thinking of others, whether it was stocking someone's woodpile that was getting low, or taking fresh vegetables to someone, Roger was really good about caring about others.
But one of the things I really loved about Roger was his knowledge of history and his desire that we never forget our own history. He was a great advocate for the Boscawen Historical Society and making sure we never forget those who came before us and the legacy they left for us to carry forward.
You will be missed Roger, by so many, but your stories and good works provide a solid foundation and great example for the next generation.
Craig Saltmarsh
August 12, 2024
I had the privilege to work with Roger and also volunteer with him for numerous boards and committees for the town that he so loved. There were times that I was thankful for his support and faith in doing "the right thing" for the betterment of the whole town and not just the usual select few.
Roger was very kind, was thoughtful, and always thought of my children when he found a trinket, some candy, or an old fashioned toy someplace. He would hand me the item and say "take this home to your kids" or "I have extra syrup, your kids will love it."
I miss our talks about the history of Boscawen and his inside "scoop" about "who was who" and "who knew what was really going on" around town. I especially loved to hear about his horses when he had his team...he truly loved those animals. One year he agreed to bring the team and wagon to the Concord Christmas parade so that the non-profit I then worked for could ride in style...it was a classic!
Roger was a small town, everyday person that truly cared about others, the community, and his family. I am very glad and thankful for the time that I spent with him.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children, and family during this difficult time.
Cate Ahern
August 12, 2024
Roger was a huge positive influence on my childhood at Shaker Village. This news is just so sad. He will be so missed. Sending love to the family
Martin and Mary Ruth Charette
August 12, 2024
The town of Boscawen was lucky to have Roger. He will be sorely missed! Our deepest sympathy to his family.
Michele L Tremblay and Stephen C Landry
August 12, 2024
Our deepest sympathies to Roger's family. We hope that in the coming days, you hear how he has touched many lives.
Elaine Lavery
August 12, 2024
Such wonderful memories I have of Roger--he always had a smile and kind words. I first met him when he was a senior at Concord High School and I was his teacher. One day I noticed what lovely blue eyes he had so I commented and he blushed--it became my standard greeting when we would meet in later years and yes, he always got a red face when I said it. Roger took pictures for his yearbook and insisted on taking mine--I said no side profile as I was 7 months pregnant with my daughter and what did he do--took a profile picture of me. His mom, Dot, and mine were good friends and worked on the Library Trustees together for Boscawen. I am a member of Webster Congregational Church and met up with his sister, Betsy--we became friends. We will all miss this special man--God Bless you and keep you, Roger.
Roy Glines
August 12, 2024
Lots of memories with "WD"
Roy
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
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Aug
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Funeral
1:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church of Webster
NH
Funeral services provided by:
Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium - Boscawen172 King Street, Boscawen, NH 03303
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