Dennis Ruggles

1947 - 2024

Dennis Ruggles

Claremont, NH - Dennis Ruggles,76, of Claremont, NH passed peacefully on January 15, 2024 after a long illness. He was born in Cambridge, VT on July 14, 1947.

His early childhood was spent in Johnson, VT where he lived with his parents Wilbur "Johnnie" and Stella (Rowell) Ruggles and siblings Pam and Brent. The family moved to Cornish, NH when he was 10 years old then to Claremont a year later. He graduated from Stevens High School in 1966.

He and Mary Ann Templeton grew up neighbors, each living on either side of the Claremont/Cornish NH town line. They first dated in 1963 and married in July of 1966. They lived in Claremont NH, Reading VT and Weathersfield VT before buying property in Unity NH in 1979 and building their own home. The couple moved to Haverhill, NH in 2005. Mary predeceased Dennis in 2020, just days after their 54th anniversary.

A jack of all trades, Dennis probably did it or wanted to do it "someday." He was part of the 409 racing crew, racing dirt track in the 60's. In high school, he worked on construction of bridges on I-91 in the Ascutney area and drove truck hauling steel. When newly married he delivered milk for Idlenot Dairy (leading Mary to joke that she, in fact, had the milkman's baby). He did farm work for others and kept some animals himself. He was a maintenance mechanic at Tambrands in Claremont for over 33 years, retiring in 2002. He was a carpenter, a woodworker and a craftsman; building everything from bird houses to his own house, furniture, and beautifully hand carved figures of animals and caricatures. He could fix just about anything whether it had an engine or without. He loved to hunt and fish and built his own muzzleloader. He was the custodian at the school in Monroe, NH for several years and prided himself in keeping things spotless and running in ship shape. Dennis loved animals and there was always a dog by his side sharing his morning toast. He was a late comer to baking, but that didn't stop him from trying to perfect apple pie and flaky biscuits. Gardening became one his favorite pastimes too, with his love of tomatoes bordering on obsession. Be assured that no matter what Dennis did he rarely did it alone as he made friends wherever he went.

Family was dear to Dennis. Siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws played major roles in his memories. Nieces and nephews fondly recall his and Mary's house being a second home where much fun was had. He and his cousin "Red" Davis were quite the team; they both liked a good laugh so you never knew what to expect when they got together. Dennis often told of crawling into bed with Gramp Ruggles on cold nights when he was very young. Every time Gramp would ask "Where was Moses when the lights went out?" and he'd respond "in the dark" as Gramp pulled the cord attached to the light switch. He spent so much time with his children and their families, but it was still too short for those he left behind.

Dennis is survived by son Jason and wife Amber of Springfield NH, son Jeff and wife Tracie of Claremont NH, and daughter Jessica Sherman and husband Steve of Monroe NH as well as 5 grandchildren (John & Adam Ruggles, Avery Waddell & Justine Ruggles, and Emily Sherman), 2 step grandsons (Stephen Proctor and Edward Baker) and 4 great grandchildren (Liam, Brady & Carter Ruggles and Penelope Waddell). He is also survived by sister Pam Smith and husband Walt of Winter Haven FL and brother Brent and wife Connie of Pittston ME.

He also leaves behind his 1975 Jonsered 70 chainsaw: the one possession that rivaled family for his affection. He even risked marital bliss when he spent hard saved money on it while there were two young boys and a new baby to provide for. It was a wise decision though since the old farm house they lived in took 15 cords of wood to heat! Cutting wood was never loathsome to him; it was something he loved to do with his beloved Jonsered 70 in hand. Even after he no longer burned much wood he cut wood for a friend. He quipped that he should be buried with the saw, but decided that wasn't right because the ol' Jonsered should live on to cut again.

Anyone who knew Dennis knows of his love of a good story or ten, often one segueing right into the next. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 10th at Martin Memorial Hall located at 5259 US Rte. 5 in Ascutney, VT (the Weathersfield Town Hall). All who knew him are invited to drop in between 12pm and 4pm to share stories and some of Dennis's favorite foods prepared by his family. In lieu of donations, talk to your neighbors and lend a helping hand. Know no enemies because you find some good in everyone. Say "I Love You" more because you'll never feel like you said it enough.

Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.