Harry L. Olmstead, Jr.

LANCASTER, NH— Mr. Harry L. Olmstead, Jr., 83, of Columbia, NH, passed away on Saturday morning, April 28, 2012, at the Country Village Healthcare Center in Lancaster, NH. He was born in Manchester, NH, on Nov. 9, 1928, a son to the late Harry L. Olmstead, Sr. and Elizabeth (Beard) Olmstead. Harry was a graduate of the Newton, Mass., High School and the Leland Powers School in Boston. He was a student at the Tuck School at Dartmouth College from 1952-53. He was the beloved husband to Margaret Ann (Polhemus) Olmstead. Prior to moving to Colebrook, Harry was employed with the First National Bank of White River Jct., Vt., for eight years. Harry worked for 39 years at the former Colebrook National Bank and the Colebrook Guaranty Savings Bank which eventually became the First Colebrook Bank, retiring as its president in 1991. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the bank and the First Colebrook Bancorp., retiring from those boards in 1998. His professional accomplishments were many, and public service was important to him. Harry was a former director of the NH Business Development Corp.; past chairman and board member of the NH Bankers’ Association; a board member of the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and the Upper Connecticut Valley Mental Health Agency; a trustee of the Colebrook Public Library and the Columbia Cemeteries; a past treasurer for the Town of Colebrook; and a member of the staff development committee for SAU #7. His civic interests and willingness to serve were equally as numerous. He was a member of Evening Star Lodge #37, F. & A.M. in Colebrook; a member of Colebrook’s Bicentennial Committee in the early 70s; a charter member, past president, and historian of the Colebrook Kiwanis Club, as well as their Lay Person of the Year in 1984; and the 1978 “Outstanding Boss” of the Colebrook Jaycees. Harry was also a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, and was active in the church, serving as the superintendent of the church school, a lay leader, lay speaker, and trustee. He was active in the Parish of the Headwaters for many years, as well. Harry was also a showman at heart, and he loved to entertain. He was in many of Colebrook’s 4th of July parades with his great friend, Doris Chappell, and they also appeared on NH’s public TV station in Durham. The late Bob Moore and Harry were co-chairmen of Ellsworth Bunnell’s “Down Memory Lane,” which was presented by the Kiwanis Club in Colebrook. With Audrey Noyes, Harry also helped produce “Drs. Parsons & Gifford Day,” a tribute to the work they did to establish the UCVH. He is survived by his son, David L. Olmstead and wife Linda of Rowlett, Tex.; his daughter Beth Ellen Emery and husband Deane, of Warner, NH; four grandsons, Andrew & Stephen Olmstead, and Seth & Sean Emery; as well as many life-long friends. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Margaret in 1991; and his long-time companion, Richard W. Loiselle in 2008. There will be no public calling hours. A graveside service will be held on Sat., June 9, 2012, at 3 p.m. at the Colebrook Village Cemetery where Harry will be laid to rest next to Margaret. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Harry may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Rev. Rick Boyden, Bridge St., Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the UCVH, 181 Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Harry L. Olmstead, Jr.

November 9, 1928 - April 28, 2012