Earl A. Bunnell

CANAAN, VT -- Mr. Earl “Bunny” A. Bunnell, 85, of Canaan, Vt., passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011, in Concord, NH, after a long period of declining health and with his loving family at his side. Earl was born on March 4, 1926, in Colebrook, NH, a son of the late Earl J. and Henrietta (Ramsay) Bunnell. He attended local schools and then served with honor in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46 during World War II. He married Irene Roberts in 1948. Bunny apprenticed as a barber under his father and then joined him in the family business in Colebrook. He worked as a barber for 20 years, and then joined the civil service working for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 more years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of the American Legion and served as post commander, and he was a member of the VFW; Earl was a 50-year member and Past Master of Evening Star Lodge #37, F. &.A.M., a member of the Evening Star for 28 years, and a 20-year member of the Colebrook Kiwanis. He was a member of the Monadnock Congregational Church in Colebrook for 68 years, having served as trustee, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and on the church nominating committee. He also served for 25 years on the Canaan, Vt., school board. He was active in the Boy Scouts, as well, having served as Scout Master for Troop 220 in Colebrook, and he received the Silver Beaver Citation for his service to the scouts in 1970. Earl also truly enjoyed his time spent with family and friends, and one of his most cherished places to be was fishing at Tim Pond in Maine. He was a loving husband and father, and he will be dearly missed by his countless friends and family. He leaves behind his beloved wife of more than 62 years, Irene (Roberts) Bunnell of Canaan, Vt.; his son Earl A. Bunnell II and wife Pamela of Colebrook, NH; and one who he considered as close as a son, Ronnie Gadwah and companion, Karen Decosse, of Hampton, NH, and Ronnie’s daughter Kara Sweatt. Earl is preceded in death by his daughter Vickie Bunnell in 1997. Calling hours will be on Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH. A Masonic service will be presented by Evening Star Lodge #37, F.&A.M. of Colebrook immediately prior to the evening calling hours at 6:45 p.m. A funeral service will be on Monday, April 18, at 11 a.m. at the Monadnock Congregational Church in Colebrook with The Rev. Rebecca Larson officiating. A committal service with military honors will be held in the spring at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Bunnell’s memory may be made to the Vickie Bunnell Scholarship Fund, c/o Colebrook Kiwanis, P.O. Box 241, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Earl A. Bunnell

March 4, 1926 - April 14, 2011