Clarence L. Fitch (Fitchie), 96, of Henniker passed away at Hospice House in Concord on Saturday April 25^th.

He was born in Claremont on August 8, 1912 the son of Elmer C. and Carrie (Leete) Fitch.  He attended schools in Claremont, Concord and the University of New Hampshire. Clarence was married to Lois Lorraine Nutting  of Concord on April 6, 1940 and they came to live in Henniker.  He worked as store manager at the Merrimack Farmers Exchange for 39 years after which he was a lookout watchman  for the N.H. foresting Division for 8 years. He worked both at Craney Hill and Kearsarge Mountain .

During those years he served in various positions including Selectman of Henniker from 1947-1952. Fire Dept. for 34 years serving as Chief from 1955-1969.  He was president of Central Forest Fire Wardens Association in 1961 and President of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs from 1968-1969. Clarence was a life member of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs.  He received the 1988 Federation Award for Outstanding Service from the Forest Fire Wardens Association.

Clarence served as the Trustee of the Loon Trust Funds for 30 years and Trustee for Henniker Cemetery Association for 25 years, also Trustee and Deacon of the Henniker Congregational Church.

He coached basketball at Henniker High School and was the first basketball coach at New England College in 1946.  He enjoyed the Old Timers Club for many years.

Clarence served as Past Master of Aurora Lodge #43 and Past High Priest of Woods Chapter Royal Arch Masons.  He was a 50 year member of Nashua 32^nd Degree Masons.  On December 18, 2007 Clarence received the Boston Post Cane from the Town of Henniker as the oldest citizen.  Hillsborough Harmony Lodge presented their Boston Port Cane to Clarence as the oldest member of the lodge on December 10, 2008.

Clarence was predeceased by his son Robert in 1996 and his sister Alice Melendy of Bedford, NH and Edna Greenwood of Hartford, CT.

He is survived by his wife 69 years, Lois L (Nutting) Fitch of Henniker, NH, 3 daughters, Carolyn Patenaude and her husband Rodney, of Henniker, NH,  Joanne Grendell and her husband Bruce, of Windsor, NH,  Lorraine Edmunds and her husband Richard, of Antrim , NH, 1 son James R. Fitch and his wife Priscilla, of Henniker, NH, 10  Grandchildren include Brian & Thomas Patenaude, Mark Nutter, Margaret Edmunds, Klemme & Rick Edmunds, Adam & Jason Fitch and Chelsea & Hayden Fitch. There are 10 great grandchildren.

Services will be Friday May 1, 2009 at 11 Am in the  Henniker Congregational Church, Henniker, NH, The Rev Rebecca Maccini will officiate.

Donations may be made to The Henniker Fire and Rescue Dept P.O. Box 91 Henniker, NH 03242, or the CRVNA Hospice House P.O. Box 1797 Concord NH 03302.

Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Henniker, NH is in charge of the arrangements.

 For more information please log onto  www.HoltWoodburyfh.com

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