Milton E. Adair

COLEBROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Mr. Milton E. “Bumpa” Adair, 88, of Colebrook, New Hampshire, passed away early on Friday, February 15, 2008, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook after a long period of failing health. Mr. Adair was born March 11, 1919, in Concord, Vt., a son of the late William and Myra (Smith) Adair. Milton spent a few of his early years in Concord, Vt. area and then moved to Colebrook where he attended local schools. In 1940, he married Elizabeth Bennett. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and saw action in the Pacific theater of World War II. He was injured on board his ship in Okinawa during a Kamikaze attack, for which he earned a purple heart medal. After his recuperation, 2nd Class Petty Officer Adair was assigned a tour of duty on Admiral Wm. “Bull” Halsey’s flagship and aircraft carrier, where he survived a dangerous typhoon. Milton was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 and he returned to Columbia with his family. Mr. Adair did many different things in his career, including working as a lineman on the pulp drives on the Pond River in Maine, starting a construction company with his father-in-law, and he owned and operated Aunt Libby’s Store & Restaurant in Columbia until it burned during Colebrook’s bi-centennial celebration in 1970. He was a well-known local carpenter for many years. In his spare time, he was an avid hunter and trapper. Milton also had the spirit of public service. He served as a selectman in Columbia for a total of 14 years and as town moderator for nine years. When he moved to Colebrook he served as selectman there for three years. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Colebrook, was a past-president of the organization, and was a long-time member of the Masons in the Evening Star Lodge #37 F & AM. Mr. Adair was also a life-member of the VFW Nulhegan Post #5243. Mr. Adair will be remembered by all as a wonderful man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his many, many friends who will miss him dearly. He leaves behind a son, Clayton E. Adair and wife, Dera, of Louisburg, NC; three daughters, Brenda Brooks-Gadwah and husband, Neal, of Colebrook, Lucinda Grassi and husband, Pete Dupre, of Colebrook, and Kory-Ann Adair of Kittery, Me.; two sisters, Beatrice Dezan of Milton, NH, and Myra Sweatt of Columbia, NH; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Adair is preceded in death by his loving wife, Elizabeth, in 1992; two brothers, William and Harold Ball; his dear companion for the past several years, Lucinda Cross, late in 2007, and a great-grandson, Jeffrey Brooks-Haynes. At his specific request, there were no calling hours. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the family lot in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Adair’s memory may be made to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, c/o Kim Daley, 181 Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Milton E. Adair

March 11, 1919 - February 15, 2008