Harry B. Thayer III

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Service -

Saturday, January 7, 2017

11 am

Exeter Congregational Church

21 Front Street

Exeter, New Hampshire 03833

Directions to Service

Interment -

Burial with Military Honors &

Exeter Fire Department Honors

will be in the

Exeter Cemetery

Exeter, New Hampshire

Directions to Interment

Reception -

1 pm

Exeter Congregational Church

21 Front Street

Exeter, New Hampshire 03883

Directions to Reception

S H A R E

Return to OBITUARIES

Harry B. Thayer, III

Exeter – Harry B. Thayer III passed away on December 27, 2016. He was born in Marblehead, MA on October 22, 1935 & came to Exeter, NH at the age of three when his parents purchased the Exeter News-Letter Company.

Harry was mischievous & industrious as a child and these characteristics stayed with him throughout his life. In his early 20s, he dabbled in stock cars & raced in the area under the name of Harry Hanson – a short-lived hobby but he remained an avid spectator of NASCAR especially when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was racing.

During the Korean conflict, Harry enlisted in the Navy and served the majority of his time on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. Not long after he returned home, he met the love of his life – his future wife – Janice Faulkingham. Their marriage of 57 years produced four children all of whom he remained involved with and proud of to his last day.

Harry began his career in the publishing & printing business at a Hampton, NH newspaper upon completing training in the repair and operation of linotypes at Rochester Institute of Technology. After about a year of gaining experience, he applied and was hired by his father to work at The Exeter News-Letter (ENL). Over the years he learned all aspects of the business, eventually becoming Editor as well as Co-Publisher with his brother Charles. He ultimately became VP/Treasurer of the ENL Co. and, at the time of the sale to Ottaway Newspapers, the business had expanded to publishing 13 weekly newspapers. During those years, he was President of the Rockingham County Newspapers. After leaving Ottaway, he started his own business, Thayer Printing Company, and quickly gained a reputation as a customer service oriented business.

Early in Harry’s employment at the ENL, he became a volunteer firefighter with the Exeter Fire Dept. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the men and women there and was honored to be part of the organization. He had 45 years of active service which included being VP of the Exeter Firemen’s Relief Assoc., President of the Seacoast Chief Fire Officers’ Mutual Aid District and Deputy Chief of the Exeter Fire Dept. After his retirement from active service, he continued to champion budget needs for the department.

Harry became involved in the Town of Exeter business and, through the years, held various positions: Pres. of Economic Development Commission (Exeter Indus. Park), Pres. of Exeter AREA Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Budget Recommendations Committee, Trustee of Gilman Park, Secretary of the William Robinson Fund, Incorporator of the Exeter Hospital, and member of the Exeter Public Safety Dispatch Committee, Exeter Crime Line, Exeter Historical society, Zoning Board of Adjustment, SST Building and Building Trades Committees, and Exeter Parks & Pool Committee which made possible the development of tennis courts & ball fields off Hampton Rd. at no cost to the town. To say the town benefitted from Harry’s commitment over the years would be an understatement!

Another passion Harry developed was playing golf. As with every other facet of his life, he volunteered his time to improve anything at the Exeter Country Club – from painting & building stairs up the hill to the clubhouse to holding the position of Secretary. The ECC recognized Harry’s years of service by dedicating a bench to him on the 7th tee. He was so appreciative of the recognition but mostly for the lifelong friends he made there.

Another activity Harry enjoyed was model railroad building and displays. He migrated to rail car excursions & eventually became the director of the Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club. He & his wife enjoyed numerous rail car trips on spurs in N.E. as well as other states and also the friendships with fellow members.

When Harry’s children were involved in sports, he’d be seen at softball, basketball, football, soccer, baseball & field hockey games, coaching PeeWee travel team ice hockey, & trailering horses for horse shows. He was a loyal son, a loving brother, a devoted husband, a proud father, & a doting grandfather. Besides his wife Janice, Harry leaves his children Melissa (Michele), Heather Thibault (Dan), Christopher (Jill), & Amanda Roffman (Eric), 7 grandchildren: Connor, Courtney, Zacary, Hannah, Benjamin, Calvin & Allison, siblings Charles (Patsy), Susan Parr, & Holly Clymer (Sam) as well as special cousins & many, many dear friends. He had honor, ethics, passion, competitiveness, durability, thoughtfulness, & humor. His race is finally won!

Harry was a man of faith and lifelong member of the Exeter Congregational Church where he served as a trustee over many years. A memorial service will be held at the church on Saturday, January 7, 2017. The location is 21 Front Street in Exeter. Committal at the Exeter Cemetery will follow the service and include Exeter Fire Dept. & military honors. All are invited to a reception at 1 P.M. back at the church.

In lieu of flowers, it was Harry’s wish that donations be made to the Exeter Firemen’s Relief Association, 20 Court Street, Exeter, NH 03833.

Exeter Congregational Church

Exeter Cemetery