Richard Greville Verney

Richard Greville Verney

Bennington, NH - Richard Greville Verney, 79, of Bennington, NH, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on August 24, 1946, in Providence, RI, to Gilbert and Virginia (Piggott) Verney.

Richard attended St. George's School in Newport, RI, and graduated from Brown University in 1968. On August 26, 1967, he married Dorothy Howard of Kalamazoo, MI, with whom he shared a loving partnership for nearly six decades.

He began his career at Monadnock Paper Mills in 1969 as a management trainee and succeeded his father as CEO in 1978. Under his leadership, Monadnock-the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States-entered a new era of innovation, specializing in sustainable and specialty papermaking. He led the company's expansion into emerging markets and product lines while championing environmental responsibility, technical excellence, and long-term reinvestment.

In 1998, he established Monadnock Non-Wovens in Mt. Pocono, PA, to meet growing demand in the healthcare, filtration, and consumer sectors. During his tenure, Monadnock earned numerous industry certifications and honors, including a Platinum EcoVadis Rating in September 2024-placing the company among the top 1% globally for environmental, social, and ethical performance. Above all his professional achievements, Richard remained most devoted to the well-being of his employees and the vitality of his local community. Both companies remain privately held and family owned.

Richard gave generously of his time, leadership and resources to organizations that reflected his values. He served as a Trustee of St. George's School for 25 years, including as Chairman of the Board from 1985 to 1989, and remained an Honorary Trustee thereafter. He joined the Board of Trustees of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation in 1994, serving for 20 years-including ten years as President-and was named Trustee Emeritus in 2014 for his leadership in preserving the island's natural environment.

He was a Trustee of Monadnock Community Hospital from 1993 to 2000, and of the Crotched Mountain Foundation from 1974 until his passing, supporting programs for individuals with disabilities. Richard also served on the Board of Directors of the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire from 1991 until his death, including on its Executive Committee from 1998 to 2004.

In recognition of his lifelong commitment to service and leadership, the University of New Hampshire awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2009. He also held numerous leadership roles in the paper and forest products industry, including multiple chair positions over two decades with the American Forest & Paper Association, where he served on the Board of Directors from 1991 to 1998.

Richard loved the sea, having spent childhood summers on Nantucket and, in recent years, extended visits with family on Little Gasparilla Island in southwestern Florida. He was an avid fresh- and saltwater fisherman and especially cherished time on the Grand Cascapedia River in Quebec. He was a lifelong member of the Nantucket Yacht Club and the Wharf Rats Club.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Valerie Dill Verney.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy; his four children: Virginia Lucarelli of Telluride, CO; Liz Verney of Lyme, NH; Heather Wyman of Appleton, ME; and Eric Verney of Nantucket, MA; and eight cherished grandchildren: Thea and Caroline Lucarelli, Hannah and Addie Smith, Claire and Lucas Wyman, and Jimmie and William Verney. He is also survived by his sister, Lumina Greenway of Andover, MA, and his brother, Geoffrey Verney of Nantucket, MA.

His unwavering support for his family and friends–and his sense of humor–will be missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at All Saints Church, 51 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH. A celebration of Richard's life will immediately follow at the Monadnock Country Club, 49 High Street, Peterborough, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard's name to the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, St. George's School in Newport, RI, or the Monadnock Community Hospital-fitting tributes to a man whose life was devoted to leadership, conservation, education, and community.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Richard's tribute page at www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.