Emmett E. Towle

Emmett Everett Towle passed away on June 30th, 2024 at home surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 87. He had a long battle with diabetes that lasted 36 years. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his love of horses and his sense of humor. His family cherished the time they had with him.

He was born on January 19, 1937, in Jefferson NH and was the 3rd child of Chester and Imogene (Reed) Towle. He grew up in Jefferson and in Lancaster, attending the Gore School and the Lancaster School. He often told stories of walking to school while carrying his skis and skiing home at the end of the day. He also ran track at the Lancaster School and enjoyed telling stories of his old track competitions.

He was married to Gail (Allen) Towle for 17 years, who he had 8 children with and was later married to Eldeen (Roby) Towle, giving him 2 stepchildren. They were married for 31 years before her passing in 2005. Emmett resided in Whitefield, NH for 51 years before his passing.

Having been around for nearly 100 years as he liked to say, things changed quite a bit during his lifetime as machinery had not yet become available when he was younger. He often spoke about loading trucks by hand, placing logs in the river for transportation, logging with horses with his father and lots of physical labor. He worked on the construction of Moore Dam, on a farm, loading trucks, driving a truck and then as a logger for most of his working years.

He spent his entire life around horses, being a second-generation horse puller, receiving teamster trophies and a dedication acknowledgement to the sport. There was nothing more he wanted than to take a horse, give it a loving life and go win blue ribbons. He felt love, and compassion for the horse, would always bring a greater return. His trophies were plentiful and his passion for horses and horse pulling, he passed along to both of his sons, who you would often find together in the pulling ring talking about strategies of the sport.

Those who knew Emmett would tell you he was quick-witted, loved to tell a good joke and keep everyone laughing. His children will remember him for his determination to teach them to be hard workers and good people. He took pride in his life’s work to have children who he was proud of, which made him feel luckier than most he would say. His family and his horses were his life. He knew going into old age he had to keep moving and his horses gave him a job and a purpose.

He is predeceased by his wife, Eldeen Towle, his parents Chester and Imogene Towle, his brother Asa Towle, his sister Molly Ball, his step-son, Raynard DuPont and his beloved daughter, Cathy Joan Towle. He will be greatly missed by his 8 remaining children, Judy Ramsdell (Jim Ramsdell) of Whitefield, NH, Penelope Buell (Franklin Skinner) of Jupiter, FL, Debby Towle (Mark Howard) of Jupiter, FL, Nancy Towle Washburn (Malcolm Washburn) of Whitefield NH, Jeffrey Towle of Whitefield, NH , John Towle (Anita Suker) of St. Johnsbury, VT, Betty Stapleton of Clermont, FL, Beth Towle Kenney of Lyme NH , 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren , 3 great great grandchildren, his sister Jane Savage and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at The Lancaster Fairgrounds, on July 13th from 1:30-4:30pm, followed by a reception held by the family. Please enter the fairgrounds through Gate A. In lieu of flowers, please make a donate in his name to support the Lancaster Fairgrounds with the building of new horse barns. Donations can be sent to: Lancaster Fair, PO Box 515, Lancaster, NH 03584.