WHITEFIELD - John Charles Severance, 66, died peacefully at home in Whitefield from a rapidly advancing Alzheimer's disease on September 21, 2018.
Born in Whitefield on April 23, 1952, he was the son of the late Shirley Day Hayes and John D. Severance. He graduated from the White Mountains Regional High School, and then received a degree in Forestry from the University of New Hampshire. After graduating, he started his own logging business, Severance Wood Operations, which he ran for many years. Eventually he returned to school at Plymouth State where he earned a degree in Environmental Science which he used to co-found Watershed to Wildlife, an environmental consulting firm.
John's environmental work was a perfect fit for him, as he loved the outdoors his entire life: trapping, fishing, farming, studying and enjoying nature, and sharing it with his grandchildren. Music was another of John's enduring loves. He played the guitar for most of his life and belonged to various bands throughout his early life. After retirement he enjoyed playing music with friends and writing his own songs.
He was dedicated to the town of Whitefield, and worked to make his community a great place. Throughout the years John served in volunteer roles for the Whitefield Fire Department, Whitefield Conservation Commission, Lion's Club, WMRSD School Board, Whitefield Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Lancaster Fair Board. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and served as a building trustee. In 2007 he was appointed by Governor Lynch to the Connecticut River Joint Commission.
John will be deeply missed by his wife Roxie (Emerson) Severance; his son Christopher Severance and his children Kaitlyn, Jillian, and Kyle; his son Kurt Severance and his wife Alysson and their children Claudia and Jackson; his sister Nancy Comeau, her husband Bob, and their children Jaclyn and Bryan; as well as extended family and friends.
Visiting hours will be held Monday afternoon September 24th from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Whitefield. A memorial service will follow Tuesday morning, September 25th, at 11:00 AM at the Community Baptist Church, Whitefield.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in John's memory may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 18 Lancaster St, Whitefield, NH 03598, or North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, New Hampshire 03561