Charles Allen Dancy III

MERRIMACK - Charles Allen Dancy III, known affectionately as "Chip," of Merrimack died Sunday, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 68.Chip was the eldest child of Capt. Charles Dancy Jr. and Suzanne Van Buskirk and was born in Annapolis, Md. During Chip's childhood, the family was stationed at Naval bases around the country. These early years fostered in Chip an adaptable??, social nature and an adventurous spirit. His siblings - sisters Justine, Catherine, Jennie and Barbara and brother Kenneth - were dear to him, and he treasured any opportunity to gather or vacation with his family throughout his life.Chip attended Ascension Academy in Alexandria, Va., and went on to receive degrees in mathematics ('68) and electrical engineering ('70) from MIT. As a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, he made friendships that would last a lifetime. It was while singing in a church choir in Boston that Chip would meet the love of his life, Marie Arcifa. They married in 1970 and lived in Newton, Mass., before moving to Merrimack in 1975. It would be here that Chip and Marie would invest their hearts and souls into raising their children and building a magical home.Chip has 10 children: Cora Leibig and husband Michael of Maple Grove, Minn.; Abram Dancy and wife Leigh of Shrewsbury, Mass.; Jesse Dancy of New Rochelle, N.Y.; Mira Dancy and spouse Max Rubinstein of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Isaac Dancy and wife Jenna of Longmont, Colo.; Ada Dancy and husband Donnie Hong of Chicago, Ill.; Leah Dancy of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Zoe Dancy of Denver, Colo.; Jacob Dancy of Berlin, Germany; and Marita Dancy, who currently attends Bard College in New York. Chip was blessed with 12 wonderful grandchildren, Tobin, Sarai, Carmen, Theresa, Joseph, Rachel, Julie, Jacinta, Thomas, Aidan, Sierra, and Isis; dear in-laws, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.Chip was a software engineer and contributed to the dramatic evolution of computing technology over the last 50 years. His creativity and problem-solving ethos drew him into many projects, ranging from the development of early compilers to automated control systems and voice and video compression. Over the years, he worked for Hewlett Packard, Digital Equipment Corporation, Sanders and numerous start-up ventures.Chip loved the outdoors and often spent summers setting up camp in the White Mountains, jumping the waves at Rye Beach, biking along the Cape Cod shore and hiking the peaks of the Appalachian Trail. He completed many ambitious home projects, and the evidence of his labor remains in the rooms and gardens of their Merrimack home. In his retirement, he was a devoted fan of the Red Sox and the Patriots. Most of all, he loved visiting others as well as playing host to his large family.In his 40 years in New Hampshire, Chip fostered many friendships. He volunteered as a youth sports coach and at soup kitchens. He was a longtime parishioner and "Doughnut Man" at Our Lady of Mercy Parish and enjoyed conversation with others after Mass. He also actively participated in many programs and outreach initiatives in the St. Anne – St. Augustin Parish in Manchester. He valued his citizenship, lent his voice at town meetings, was a thoughtful voter and helped others to reach the polls as well. In his later years, he attended Day Away programs in Merrimack and Nashua where others appreciated his enthusiastic singing and dancing.Chip always encouraged his children to pursue their ambitions and was proud of their achievements. He inspired others with the grace and humor he maintained as he confronted Alzheimer's disease, and he showed a passion for life and unwavering integrity until his last moment. Memories of his kind eyes and easy laugh will continue to give comfort to those who love him.

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SERVICES: Calling hours will be held in the Rivet Funeral home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack, on Thursday, May 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, on Saturday, May 30, at 9:30 a.m.For more information or to sign an online memorial book, go to www.rivetfuneralhome.com.