Dover – Roy Elbridge Kent, 98, formerly of Tolend Road and recently residing at Watson Fields in Dover, died September 12, 2023 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover.
Born September 2, 1925, in Exeter, NH, the son of Ralph and Ione (Griffin) Kent, he resided in Newmarket for 70 years and was a 1943 graduate of Newmarket High School.
Roy served in the US Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theatre and for ten years in the Naval Reserves with the rank MM 1/C. He was a Life Member of the Robert G. Durgin American Legion Post #67.
Roy was employed at Griffin Hardware, then H.R. Haines Co., and in 1953 became employed at the Brown & Trottier Funeral Home. In 1955 he became a partner with Raymond Brisson operating the Brisson & Kent Funeral Home. He recorded and charted all the Private Graveyards and Cemeteries in Newmarket. In 1971 he became sole owner and in 1987 sold the funeral home to Edward Pelczar, retiring in 1996. Upon retiring he and his wife Alice (White) Kent moved to Rollinsford, where they lived until her death in 2004. He was Past President of the NH Funeral Directors Association and was a former member of the State Board.
He was a member, former Deacon, and Trustee of the Newmarket Community Church, and was Past Treasurer of the Newmarket Congregational Society.
Roy was a 50-year member and Past Master of Rising Star Lodge #47 F&AM of Newmarket, and was Past Secretary & Treasurer of the Kingman Masonic Building Corp. A Charter member of William Pitt Tavern Lodge #1789, and the General William Whipple Military Lodge, he was also a member of Crescent Chapter OES #45 of Northwood, and the 1st Newmarket Colonial Militia Co.
One of the three founders of the Newmarket Historical Society, he was a Charter & Life member, and its first Treasurer. A member of the Newmarket Militia, he was a founding member of the Newmarket Ambulance Corp and was a member of the Newmarket Fire Department. For forty years he was a Trustee of the Newmarket Trust Funds and was an Advisor to the Newmarket Branch of Indian Head Bank. He served for several terms on the Board of Directors of Lamprey Health Care.
He was a Charter & Life member of the Lee Historical Society, and Life member and Past President of the Durham Historic Association. A member of the Jeremiah Smith Grange of Lee and the Lee Memorial VFW Post 10676, he was also a former member of Durham Great Bay Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Roy was predeceased by his first wife of 49 years Alice (White) Kent who died May 1, 2004, and his second wife of 17 years, Goldie (Day) Kent who died June 27, 2023; his brother, Col. John F. Kent; and his sister, Lois I. Kent.
Roy was a very accomplished man in his lifetime, but even more importantly, he was a man with a sense of ethics, character and love of family and people in general. He was the guy who stepped up when needed. The first to volunteer, donate, lend a hand or a shovel. He created and advanced many endeavors that would directly benefit the people of his community, continuing today.
Roy and Alice spent many hours dancing at the Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket where he perfected his skills as an accomplished dancer which were still evident at his great grandson’s wedding just 3 weeks ago. “They cleared the floor for me” he was happy to say and received a standing ovation.
Roy was very distinguished, sporting a dress shirt and tie when he was out and about. It wasn’t until the past year that his daughter-in-law was able to convince him of the comfort of a tracksuit! He maintained a wonderful sense of humor with a twinkle in his eye.
He was the ultimate gentleman! He was a man who stood tall for all of us, was respected and loved dearly and will be missed immensely.
Roy is survived by his son-in-law, Don Day and his wife Lois of Dover; Granddaughter Karen Eddy and her husband Alex and their children Tim and his wife Meagan Malasky, Kasey Malasky, Alliya and Buddy Eddy of Stratham/Concord; Granddaughter Jessie Lenzi and her husband Eric and their children Evan and Noah of Barrington and one very special great, great grandson, Carson Malasky of Stratham; his nephew John T. Kent of Arizona, niece Susan N. Kent of Anchorage, Alaska and nephew Jay E. Kent of Kenai, Alaska, and several special nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, September 18th from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory, 77 Exeter Road (Route 108) Newmarket.
A Graveside Service with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, September 19th at 11:00 a.m. in the Rye Central Cemetery, Rye.
The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the wonderful, caring staff at Watson Fields in Dover for the care they provided for both Roy and Goldie during their stay. They are all amazing and a special thanks to Tricia for her dancing prowess. The family also is very appreciative of the tremendous support the Dover Fire Rescue and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital ER Staff provided during their times of need.
Should friends desire memorials may be made to: Newmarket Firefighter’s Association, 4 Young Lane, Newmarket, NH 03857, Lee VFW or the charity of one's choice.
Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.
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