David Ira Solomon

DOVER – David Ira Solomon, 68, formerly of Concord, died Tuesday (April 21), at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover after a brief hospitalization for cancer treatment.

He was born in Franklin, the son of Bernard N. and Edith (Green) Solomon.

He graduated from Mount Hermon School for Boys in Northfield, Massachusetts in 1954, then attended the University of New Hampshire where he was a member of Phi Alpha and ROTC. Upon graduating in 1958 he received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Reserve and was subsequently stationed at Lackland AFB, Texas and Dow AFB, in Bangor, Maine, during which time he was promoted to First Lieutenant.

After completing his military service he joined his father as the third generation involved in the family’s business, Solomon’s, Inc., managing women’s apparel shops in Franklin, Concord and New London. He married and resided in Concord from 1960 until 1976, during which time he was a member of Temple Beth Jacob, Concord Country Club, and the Old Timers Hockey League.

After leaving Concord he worked as a manager for several other retail clothing stores in the midwest, including Bonwit Teller, after moving to the Detroit, Michigan suburbs in 1978. He then undertook his second career, in financial planning, working first for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., and later becoming an independent insurance agent and licensed broker. He was a member of Detroit Yacht Club.

An avid golfer, fly fisherman, and friend to all animals, he retired and last year relocated with his wife of 42 years, Joanne (Daniels) Solomon, to Wade Farm in Newmarket. He was widowed only days later, on March 7, 2003, when she died at home, succumbing to a long battle with breast cancer.

Survivors include two daughters, Melissa Greer Solomon of Durham, New Hampshire, and Elizabeth D.S. Parker of Titusville, Florida; one son, Lt. Joseph H. D. Solomon (USCGR) of Suffolk, Virginia; two brothers, Representative Peter Solomon of Canaan, N.H. and Joel Solomon of Manhattan, New York.; one sister, Bayla Weisbart of Timonium, Maryland; five grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, and cousins, several living in New Hampshire.

Calling hours will not be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of the United States, New England Regional Office, P.O. Box 619, Jacksonville, VT 05342-0619 or to Seacoast Hospice, 642 Central Avenue, Dover, NH, 03820.

Tasker Funeral Home in Dover is handling the arrangements. A private, family-only memorial will be held at a later date, but friends may visit www.taskerfh.com to sign an on-line guestbook.