Mickey M. Bizzocchi McMahon, 85, of 4 Church Hill Apts., Durham, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at Bridgdon Hospital, Bridgdon, Maine, after a period of failing health.

Born in Conway on May 16, 1919, the daughter of George Banfield Colbath and Maude (McLucca) Colbath Harriman, she grew up in Conway and graduated from schools there.

She was a former resident of Portsmouth, moved to Dover in 1978, and came to Durham in 1992. She had been employed at State Street Discount and Booth Fisheries.

Mickey was a very active member and past president of the Women of the Moose of Portsmouth.

Survivors include her husband of 12 years, James McMahon of Durham; sons Franklin Heath and his wife, Sandra, of Rochester, Wayne Bizzocchi, Louis Bizzocchi, Jr. of Revere, Mass., and Peter H. Bizzocchi of Kittery, Maine; six grandchildren; a sister, Orpha Smith of North Conway, and two brothers, John Colbath and George Colbath, Jr., both of Conway. She is also survived by her husband's children, Mickey Rollins of Brownfield, Maine, Cindy Osborn of Deerfield, and James McMahon, and nieces and nephews.

She was the widow of Louis R. Bizzocchi, who died in 1990, and she was also predeceased by a brother, Yerrick Colbath.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday, Dec. 30, at St. Joseph Church, Dover. Burial will be in the Conway Village Cemetery in the spring.

Visit www.taskerfh.com for information or to sign the online guest book.

Daniel Fisher
Real estate developer

Daniel Maurice Fisher, 54, of 323 Green St., Rollinsford, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004, at his residence.

He was born April 4, 1950, in Dover, the son of Lewis J. and Clara Ruth (Rappaport) Fisher.

He was a graduate of Berwick Academy, and attended UNH and Plymouth State College, class of 1972.

Daniel was a self-employed real estate developer. He was the owner and operator of the Tenerifee Mt. Development Company, retired.

He was an avid reader, enjoyed computers, sports, and gardening, and loved his cats.

He is survived by three daughters, Victoria Fisher of Rollinsford, Abigail Fisher of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Jacqueline Fisher of Dover; a brother, Atty. Robert E. Fisher of Dover, and a sister, Atty. Fredda (Fisher) Wolf of Lewiston, Maine.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 27, at Temple Israel, Dover, with burial at the Forest Glade Cemetery, Somersworth.

Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel, P.O. Box 254, Dover, NH 03820.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, Dover. To sign the online guest book, visit www.purdyfuneralservice.com.

Ruth Grossen
UNH theater instructor

Ruth Janet Grossen, 52, died Dec. 16, 2004, at her home in Strafford, where she lived with friend Carole Johnson and beloved pets Marty, Grady and Gideon.

Ruth was born and raised in Chicago, Ill., and lived in Iowa prior to moving to New Hampshire in 1988.

She received an masters degree in theatre arts from the University of Iowa in 1988, and a bachelor's degree in drama and speech from Northeastern Illinois University in 1974. Her passion for the theater was ignited by her acting and backstage work with the Ames Iowa Women's Theater Co.

Since 1989, Ruth was the costume shop manager and an instructor for the Theatre and Dance Department at UNH in Durham. Over these 15 years, Ruth constructed, or supervised the construction of, hundreds of costumes, many of which she designed. During the summers, she did freelance costume design for the Lakes Region Summer Theatre and Prescott Park Summer Theatre. In addition, Ruth worked part time at the Portsmouth Fabric Company with other avid quilters and sewers making beautiful quilts for family and friends. She was much admired and loved by students and colleagues for her technical expertise, superb organizational skills, congeniality, and good humor that she brought to her work.

Ruth was a student of Tai Chi Kung and belonged to the Appalachian Mountain Club. She loved all animals, pets and wild, the environment, and outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, camping, and kayaking. Ruth was an enthusiastic traveler, leading student theater groups to London and friends to great adventures, which included a 50th birthday celebration to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Grace Grossen of Chicago, Ill. She is survived by her brother, James Harry Grossen of Knoxville, Tenn.; her sister, Laura Grossen Mitchell and her husband, Neil; a niece, Abigail, and nephew, Ian, of New York, NY; her stepmother, Lois Grossen of North Carolina; and two aunts, Edith Phillips and Jeanette Crowl of Michigan.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Northwood Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club or the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine.

Arrangements are under the direction of Purdy Memorial Chapel, Lee.

For information or to sign the online guest book, visit www.purdyfuneralservice.com.

Paul Frances Lester
W.W.II U.S. Air Force veteran

Paul Frances Lester, 79, of Dover, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Paul had been a resident of Dover for more than 40 years.

He was the son of the late Warren Lester and the late Elizabeth (Bresnahan) Lester, and he was raised in Manchester. He was a graduate of both Manchester Central High and Plymouth State College.

In the summer of 1943, prior to starting his senior year in high school, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and trained as an aerial gunner. During W.W.II, he served with the 15th Air Force, 464th Bomb Group, 776th Bomb Squadron, and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. As a combat crewmember of the B-24 bomber named "Lady Esther," operating out of Panatella Air Base in Italy, he and his crew completed 56 sorties against Axis targets in Germany, Romania, France, Austria, Yugoslavia and occupied Italy. During his tour of duty he was awarded three Air Medals in addition to other ribbons and awards.

Following the war he continued his studies, completing his high school diploma and earning a college degree. Following his graduation from college, he went on to a career with the Public Service Company of New Hampshire, where he worked for 30 years, primarily at the Schiller generating station in Portsmouth.

He enjoyed a variety of hobbies that included photography, travel, rug braiding and playing an electronic organ he had built himself. He also took great pleasure and satisfaction in the work associated with heating his home with a wood fire for more than 30 years. During his retirement, he especially enjoyed spending a month or more each year driving around the country attending air shows and visiting friends.

He was a member of St. Joseph's parish in Dover, where he was an usher for more than 20 years. He was proud to be a life member of the Air Force Association, and a member of the National Rifle Association.

Paul was an incredibly gentle, kind and generous human being, who is missed by all who knew and loved him. He always had time to talk, never spoke ill of anyone, and would do what he could to help others. According to his younger brother, he and Paul never had a disagreement, even as children.

Despite much adversity, Paul remained the greatest optimist, confident in his faith, with a deep love for God and Jesus. The Alzheimer's disease robbed him of his memory, but it never took away his love for others, his smile, his sense of humor or his laugh.

He leaves behind his son, Peter, and his beloved granddaughter, Veronica. Veronica, when learning to speak, would call him Pee Paw instead of grandpa. Pee Paw became a moniker that he was proud of, and never wanted changed. Additional survivors include his younger brother, Donald Lester, and his family of Nashua; his niece, Marilyn Amodeo, and her family from Salem, Mass.

He was predeceased by his half brother, George Tustin, of Lynn, Mass., and his former wife, Barbara M. Lester of Somersworth.

During the course of his illness, he and his family received help and assistance from the most wonderful people at Strafford County Homemakers, Wadleigh House, Riverside Rest Home, and Seacoast Hospice.

Friends and family may call on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, between 5 and 8 p.m., at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005, at St. Joseph's Church, 150 Central Ave., Dover, with Reverend Robert F. Cole pastor, officiating.

Family flowers only requested. Memorial contributions may be made to Riverside Rest Home, 276 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820; Seacoast Hospice, 662 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820, or Strafford County Homemakers, 215 Rochester Hill Road, Rochester, NH 03867-1701.

For information or to sign the online guest book, visit www.purdyfuneralservice.com.

Madeline McCooey
Lifelong Dover resident

Madeline Rita McCooey, 89, of 35 Boston Harbor Road, Dover, and Vero Beach, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004, at her residence in Dover after a period of failing health.

Madeline was born Aug. 25, 1915, in Dover, the daughter of Hector and Anna (LaPointe) Turgeon.

She was a lifelong resident of Dover, enjoyed gardening at her summer residence on Dover Point, and wintering in Vero Beach with her family.

Madeline was a former member of the Altar and Rosary Society at St. Joseph's Church of Dover, and was very active in church affairs.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John J. McCooey of Dover and Vero Beach, Fla.; a son, Wayne T. McCooey of Dover; a daughter, Lynda Schopp and her husband, David, of Lake Forest, Ill.; two brothers, Edmond Turgeon of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Dr. Raphael Turgeon of Cape Coral, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Germaine Grondin of Rochester, and Mrs. Marguerite Potvin of Laconia; three granddaughters, Jessica B., Lesley A., and Lauren W. Schopp of Chicago, Ill., and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 29, at St. Joseph's Church, Dover, with burial following at the St. Mary Cemetery, Dover Point.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.purdyfuneralservice.com.

Arline Underwood
Franklin Underwood
Earl Underwood
Amaya Underwood
Quadruplets

Arline G. Underwood, Franklin J. Underwood, Earl M. Underwood, Jr. and Amaya G. Underwood, were stillborn Dec. 21 and 22, 2004, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover.

They were the children of Summayyab A. Wylder and Earl M. Underwood of Dover.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the Tasker Funeral Home, Dover, with burial following in St. Mary New Cemetery, Dover.

Visit www.taskerfh.com for information or to sign the online guest book.