MILFORD – Ruland Sears, 102, lifelong resident of Milford, NH died on June 5, 2018 at the Community Hospice House, Merrimack, NH.

He was born in Milford, NH on November 13, 1915, the son of George R. Sears and Blanche (Clark) Sears. He graduated from Milford High School in 1934 and was employed by the Southwestern New Hampshire Transportation Company, Wilton, NH.

Mr. Sears was one of the last surviving area veterans of World War II. He entered the U.S. Army, Armored Division, on March 6, 1945. After completing basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he served overseas in Le Harve, France and then Erlangen, Germany on Calvary duty with the Army of Occupation. He returned to the United States in February 1946, and was discharged on February 25, 1946.

He retired from Law Motor Freight, Nashua, NH in 1976 after 34 years of service. Mr. Sears enjoyed gardening, cross country skiing well into his 90s, and was an avid golfer. One of his prized possessions is his hole in one golf ball on the 13th hole at Amherst Country Club. He traveled extensively throughout his life having visited 55 countries and islands. In addition, he loved baseball. Ruland’s high school years were spent outside on the baseball field. He was a member of the Milford High School team and the Town of Milford team where he played center field. One of the highlights of his baseball days was winning the state championship against Claremont in 1944. In addition, Mr. Sears was the last surviving member of Milford’s original Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Sears was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Milford.

He was a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret (Mahoney) Sears; his second wife of 51 years, Arleen (Keogh) Sears; and his daughter, Arline E. Sears.

Family members include two sons and daughters-in law, David and Anne Sears of Dahlonega, GA, Paul and Faith Sears of Williamsburg, VA; his stepson, Dr. Richard Keogh and his wife Connie of Portsmouth, RI; three grandchildren, Kathleen Edgar, Daniel Keogh and Jeffrey Sears; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by special friends, Joleen and David Carleton, Reggie White and Pauline Hawkins, Lisa Cassidy and Penny and Ken Simpson.

There are no calling hours. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 9th at 10:00am in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Burial with military honors will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Community Hospice House, c/o Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.