John E. Burpee

John Edward Burpee, age 88, passed away peacefully in his Goffstown, NH home on November 23, 2017 in the presence of his loving wife, Jeanne, and stepson, Mark. Cause of death was congestive heart failure.

John was born in Manchester, NH on June 14, 1929, Flag Day. As a young boy, he thought all of the flags were flown to honor his birth. A graduate of Manchester Central High School, Mr. Burpee went on to receive a BA, then a Master's Degree in psychology from UNH, playing halfback for the football team while there. He was proud to serve in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Captain, and serving in Germany. His employment history was extremely varied, starting with General Electric Corp. and culminating with an assignment in the Human Resource Department at L.L. Bean, a number of work assignments necessitating world travel.

John had multiple interests: athletics and golf heading the list; reading later in life. Friends will recall that he was an inveterate and fascinating conversationalist and storyteller. Disabled by repeated heart attacks in the 1980s, he was told that he would only survive for ""a few months,"" a prediction that he outlived by more than 35 years. In his later years he served as Chairman of the Board in the Medford Farms Association and became a tireless advocate for acquaintances struggling with issues dear to his heart: the financial pressures facing aging Americans. As a result, the list of friends and admirers who came to love and respect him for these efforts grew exponentially.

John is survived by his wife, Jeanne Lachance; stepchildren Lynne Tyler of Goffstown, NH, Mark Hudon of Lake Tahoe, CA, Paul Hudon and wife, Jane of Nathrop, CO, and Marie Swanson and husband, Andrew of Manchester, NH; sons, Michael Burpee and Scott Burpee, and their mother, Phyllis Nelson, all of Burnsville, MN; three grandchildren, Paul Tyler and his wife, Erin of Manhattan Beach, CA, Luke Swanson of Manchester, NH, and Ellen Hudon of Hood River, OR; great-granddaughter, Emilia Tyler of Manhattan Beach, CA; and sister, MaryLu Barry of Port Charlotte, FL.

Committal service with military honors will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in the spring. Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information please go to www.phaneuf.net.