Thomas Willem Voute

Thomas Willem Voute, 87, of Merrimack, NH passed away on Sunday, June 4th, 2023 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH after a brief health decline.

He was born in Sierre, Switzerland on January 26th, 1936, the youngest of five children to the late Henri "Hans" and Lucie (Wyss) Voute.

Tom grew up in the alps of Crans-Montana, Switzerland where he developed his lifelong love for hiking and skiing. He received his degree in Business Administration from the School of Commerce in Basel, Switzerland. During the late 1950's Tom completed his Swiss military training and ended as a Lieutenant in the mountain infantry. During this time, Tom had also completed Boy Scout leadership training at the legendary Gilwell Park, in London, England. This exclusive training laid the foundation for Tom's future career in Scouting.

He began working for the Swiss Tourist Office and spent time living in London before moving to the United States in 1964. Tom loved everything Swiss and totally embraced his heritage.

Tom became a United States citizen in 1969. While in New York Tom met his future wife, Patricia Ecclesine, and they were married in October 1975. He worked for the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years at Boy Scout Councils in New York, Michigan and finally as Chief Scout Executive for the Daniel Webster Council in New Hampshire.

In 1992, Tom, his wife and children moved to his beloved Switzerland where he worked for the World Scout Foundation, as its Director. During this time in Switzerland he was able to share his love of the Swiss Alps and culture with his wife and children. In 1996 he returned to the US and worked as Director of Resource Development at St. Joseph Hospital until his retirement in 2006. His career and personal life reflected his values as he was always working in the service of others professionally and as a volunteer. He was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Merrimack, NH.

Tom enjoyed camping, gardening, traveling and spending time with his family, often taking them on great adventures to explore the natural beauty of the world around them. He was well known for his famous Cheese Fondue which he loved sharing with his family and friends!

He was pre-deceased by his parents and by his four siblings, Eli Voute, Cornelius "Corri" Voute, Suzanne Gaston and Kersti Anderson.

He will be forever loved and remembered by his wife of 47 years, Patricia (Ecclesine) Voute; two children, Erin and her husband Timothy Weeden and Michael Voute and his wife Susan; four grandchildren, Katelyn and Andrew Weeden and Sarah and Emma Voute. He is also survived by his in-laws: Kevin and Kathy Ecclesine, George and Joan Ecclesine, Maureen Ecclesine and Mary (Ecclesine) Pleasanton along with many treasured nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, NH on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Last Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom's memory to the charity of your choice.

Kindly visit rivetfuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for the family.