Peter E. Solomon

CANAAN -- Former N.H. Rep. Peter E. Solomon died on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Hanover Terrace Nursing Home.

He had been chronically ill for some years.

Born in Franklin, NH in 1946, Peter Solomon was one of four children of Bernard and Edith (Green) Solomon. Pete attended Franklin public schools and Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, NH, from which he graduated in 1962.

He also attended the Forman School in Litchfield, Conn., and the Riverview School in East Sandwich Mass from which he graduated in 1965. Pete then attended the Thompson School of Applied Science at the University of New Hampshire and later worked for 18 years for the New Hampshire Fire Protection Bureau as a fire warden atop Cardigan Mountain.

He moved to Canaan during that period and quickly became involved in community life. Pete had an avid interest in fire and rescue matters, outdoor recreation and conservation, and public policy generally. He served for about 20 years as a member of the Penacook Rescue Squad, until 1992, and although he had lost much of his sight, Pete remained active and engaged in a wide variety of civic activities. He served on the Budget Committees of both the Town of Canaan and the Mascoma Valley Regional School District and was a regular attendee at meetings of various elective bodies in Canaan where he paid close attention to local policy-making.

In November, 2002, Pete was elected to the first of three terms in the New Hampshire Legislature, initially representing a district that included Hanover and Lyme, and then a distinct "Mascoma" district encompassing Canaan, Enfield, Grafton, Dorchester, and Orange -- a district for which Pete advocated strongly because he believed it was in the best interests of local residents in the Mascoma Valley.

As a State Legislator, Pete served on the Fish and Game Committee where he vigorously advocated the protection of NH's parks lands and the interests of outdoor sports and recreation enthusiasts. He also gained a reputation as having a flair for constituent service, and he made a special effort to learn how to navigate state government so he would know whom to contact to assist the people he represented. Pete never hesitated to call a Department head or Commissioner directly if it could make a difference in getting something done for a constituent.

Pete's legislative interests were wide-ranging, and in 2005 he successfully introduced ethics legislation prohibiting the receipt of cash gifts by elected officials.

His legislation ultimately formed the basis for a broad state ethics bill that was heralded by Gov. John Lynch as a major legislative accomplishment during 2006.

Pete also sponsored bills clarifying penalties for interfering with service animals, calling for the study of vocational education at Mascoma Valley Regional High School, and improving safety for NH's forests, among others. After choosing not to run for re-election in 2008, Pete was appointed by Gov. John H. Lynch to the Governor's Commission on Disability, and he maintained his active interest not only in disability issues but in a wide range of civic and public policy matters as well.

Peter leaves his sister Bayla S. Weisbart of Timonium, MD and a brother Joel C. Solomon of New York City. His brother David L. Solomon predeceased him. His New Hampshire Relatives include a niece, Melissa Solomon Angerhofer of Durham; a cousin Steven A. Solomon of Manchester; and Cousins Michael B Green of Hopkinton and John Green of Warner.

SERVICES: A memorial gathering in celebration of Peter' life will be held at the Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan early in November, the date and time will be published soon in several newspapers.

Peter's memory may be honored by a contribution to the Canaan Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 38, Canaan, NH 03741; the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, McGreal Sight Center, 25 Walker Street, Concord, NH 03301; Development Office, Cardigan Mountain School, 62 Alumni Drive, Canaan, NH 03741; The American Diabetes Association, 249 Canal Street, Manchester, NH 03101; or another organization of one's choice.

Ricker Funeral Home & Crematory of Lebanon - Enfield assisted the family with arrangements.