Douglas Roy Claire

Douglas Roy Claire, 87, resident of John H. Whitaker Place in Penacook, NH, died on September 12, 2023 at Concord Hospital, Concord, NH after a brief illness.

He was born in Manchester, NH on January 22, 1936, son of Roy Edward Claire and Virginia (Ordway) Claire. Mr. Claire was raised and educated in Milford, graduated from Milford High School, Class of 1954 and was a 1956 graduate of the New Hampshire Technical Institute. Mr. Claire was employed for many years as an Outside Plant Engineer for New England Telephone Company and NYNEX.

He enjoyed camping, traveling with his wife and friends, vacationing at Cape Cod, and wintering in Naples, FL. In addition, Doug followed all sports but had a lifelong passion for baseball, excelling as a pitcher on his high school team and later in Legion ball. In his later years Doug enjoyed playing bocce and won his local bocce league championship with his wife and teammates, but mostly he loved spending time with his family.

Additionally, the world has lost a fantastic New Hampshire accent.

Family members include his loving wife of 66 years, Joyce (Anderson) Claire of Penacook, NH; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Lisa Claire, and Brian and Linda Claire, all of Hollis, NH; five grandchildren, Kayla Claire, Matthew Claire, Alex Claire, Justin Claire and Nolan Claire; brother Dennis Claire of Wilton, NH; sister Cathy Pratt of Nashua, NH; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by an infant son, Kevin Brent Claire, who died in 1959.

There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com