LANCASTER - Dr. Lee E. Eastman, 75, of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday afternoon, February 14
th
, 2008 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster.
Lee was born in Woodsville, NH on July 11, 1932. His family moved to Lancaster, NH where he was a life long resident since the age of six. He attended Lancaster Academy and Lancaster High School, graduating in 1950. He attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Optometry in 1955.
In 1953 Lee married his high school sweetheart Constance Whitcomb and they had four children - Tawnya, Tamra, Lee Jr. (Skip) and Trisha. They lived in Lancaster and were married for 54 years.
In 1955 Lee joined his father-in-law Raymond Whitcomb in his optometric practice where Lee practiced optometry for 49 years until he retired in 2004. He carried on the family practice that was founded in 1895 and was the third generation of optometrists in the family.
Lee was an avid outdoorsman and spent long hours hunting, fishing and snowmobiling with his friends and family. He was a highly skilled woodworker and created many pieces of fine furniture in his extensive home woodworking shop.
Lee was very involved in Lancaster and he was an active member of the Lancaster Rotary Club since 1960 where he served as secretary, treasurer and president over the years. He volunteered hundreds of hours at the Lancaster Rotary Club Auction for over 37 years. Lee was very involved in the Lancaster Snowdrifters Club, volunteering long hours grooming the snowmobile trails and coordinating the Lancaster Grand Prix snowmobile events. He was a member of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association where he was the chairman of the Coos County chapter. He was an avid volunteer at the Mt. Prospect Ski Club and helped build the original hut. Lee was also on the Town of Lancaster Budget Committee for 30 years, the program chairman of the Bicentennial Committee, and a director and chairman-of-the-board of the Siwooganock Bank in Lancaster. He was also the first president of the Lancaster High School Alumni association and a long time supporter of Col. Town Recreation.
Lee leaves his wife of 54 years, Constance Eastman, and his four children: son Lee (Skip) Eastman Jr.; daughter Tawnya Finkel; daughter Tamra Eastman and daughter Trisha Eastman; his five grandchildren: granddaughter Lindsay Eastman; granddaughter Abby Finkel; granddaughter Molly Finkel; grandson Joshua Rivard and granddaughter Hanna Rivard; and his three sisters: Jean Oleson, Charlotte King, Marilyn Crane, and many other family members.
Per his request there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Monday morning, February 18 at 10 o'clock, at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Lancaster. Reverend John Jackson will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Col. Town Recreation or the Lancaster Humane Society.