Lt. Col. Mervyn O. Gadwah

COLEBROOK, NH—Lt. Col. Mervyn O. Gadwah, 93, of Colebrook, NH, passed away early Saturday afternoon, May 26, 2012, at his daughter’s residence and after a long period of declining health. He was born in Stewartstown, NH, on July 11, 1918, a son to the late Victor and Jessie (Henson) Gadwah. Mervyn enjoyed his early life in and around Colebrook, often recalling that he used to ride his horse to The Balsams to caddy for the actress who played “Betty Boop” in the early days of film. He also witnessed Charles Lindbergh land his plane in a field near Diamond Pond, perhaps inspiring his later career in the Air Force. Mervyn spent 20 years in the military, first in the Army Air Force and then with the new Air Force branch upon its formation in the late 1940s. He was a navigator in the Air Force, and his tours took him to many places throughout the U.S. and in Europe. His service included both World War II and the Korean conflict. His children remember fondly that while stationed at different places, he took them to every museum, cathedral, and many other sites all over the world so that they would be culturally literate. He retired from the Air Force in the early 1960s at the rank of Lt. Colonel. After his service, Mervyn returned to northern NH and began a twenty-year career with the First Colebrook Bank, retiring as the head cashier and treasurer. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved the natural world, and to hunt and fish; and he was also a passionate golfer. Mervyn was also a member of the American Legion. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Lewis and husband Greg of Colebrook; his son David Gadwah of Colebrook and Dover, NH; three step-children, Porter Schoff, Brett Schoff, and Lucy Schoff; three brothers, Norman Gadwah of Louisiana, Glendon Gadwah of Boscawen, NH, and Victor Gadwah, Jr., of Meriden, Conn.; a sister, Esther Huntley of Conn.; three grandchildren, Christopher Paquette and wife Judy, Shari Gadwah and partner Dennis Clooney, and Marissa Taylor and husband, Humbert; six great-grandchildren, Jessie Wheeler, Grace Marie Clooney, Brooke Clooney, Cyrus McCauley, Caitlin McCauley and Bridgette McCauley; and one great-great grandchild, Brenden Rowell. He is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years and his life-long friend and companion, Florence Gadwah, in 2011; his second wife, Eva Gadwah; three brothers, Leonard, Clement, and Vern Gadwah; a sister, Hilda Stoffer; and a grandson, Ryan Gadwah. There will be no public calling hours. A private family graveside service, with military honors, will be held at a later date at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Lt. Col. Gadwah’s memory to the Northwoods Hospice, 120 Main Street, 2nd Floor, 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.

Lt. Col. Mervyn O. Gadwah

July 11, 1918 - May 26, 2012