Albert Asahel Aldrich

SUGAR HILL - Albert Asahel “Bert” Aldrich died on September 29, 2010.

Bert was born March 2, 1929 in the Littleton, NH hospital; the son of Harold Clifton and Edith (Ginn) Aldrich of Sugar Hill.

He was a 1947 graduate of Franconia’s Dow Academy. After graduation, he joined the Air Force, serving in Korea before being discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1954. He married Maxine Gray of South Royalton, Vermont on July 31, 1955 (She was a summer waitress at Sugar Hill's Hotel Lookoff (later called Tree Top Lodge). Bert worked as a helicopter mechanic for Sikorsky Aircraft in Bridgeport, Connecticut before returning to his hometown of Sugar Hill in 1956 to live and raise his family in the Aldrich family home (built by his own Dad). He worked as a pressman for Harrison Publishing House (formerly in Sugar Hill and now in Littleton) for 38 years before retiring in 1994. He was an active member of the town of Sugar Hill and was Fire Chief of the Sugar Volunteer Fire Department from 1959 to 1972 and continued as a member of the Fire Department. After his retirement; Bert with his brother, Harold, and his best friend, Joe Lange took on the project of restoring Sugar Hill’s No.2 Fire truck, a 1939 Ford Farm Truck. This truck was Bert’s joy and his pleasure to display on the lawn of the Sugar Hill Museum and to drive the truck in local parades, especially for Old Home Day in Franconia.

Bert & Maxine purchased Harman’s Cheese & Country Store in 1981 and he was an active part of the business until his death. He kept busy in his retirement with lawn care, snowplowing, and gardening. He was a devoted Red Sox Fan and before admission to the hospital had to know the score of the previous night’s game that he was unable to view. He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows and a loyal Grange member. Together, Bert and Maxine were the ultimate grandparents; looking forward to spending as much time as possible with their grandsons.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine Aldrich. Daughter, Brenda A. Aldrich of Sugar Hill. Son, William Robert Aldrich and his wife, Patty of East Berne, NY along with Leanne & Heather and their families. Son, Clifton Aldrich and Pauline and Jamie of Sugar Hill. Son, Steven Aldrich, wife, Nancy and Victoria of Lee, NH. 5 grandsons: Nick Aldrich (son of William Robert) is at the State University of New York in Buffalo. Logan, Jake, Will, and Thomas Aldrich (sons of Steven) of Lee, NH. Two brothers, Harold Aldrich and his wife, Edith of Sugar Hill and Richard Aldrich of Manchester, NH. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and and a host of friends.

A Celebration of Bert’s Life was held at the Sugar Hill Meetinghouse on Octobert 5, 2010. A Firemen’s Procession carried Albert’s Casket on Sugar Hill’s #2 Fire Truck from the Sugar Hill Fire House to the Meetinghouse for the memorial and afterwards to the Sunnyside Cemetery for graveside services. The Sugar Hill Fire Department provided the Honor Guard and Fire Departments from Bethlehem, Franconia, and Lisbon joined the processions. Bert's dog, Molly, was invited to be in the firetruck for Bert's last trip. The US Air Force provided military honors at the close of the graveside services. Under LIFE IMAGES, you can vind a video of the Fireman's procession.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like Bert to be remembered with donations to the Sugar Hill Fire Department. PO Box 574 Sugar Hill, NH 03586.

Funeral Services were entrusted to Keller & Pillsbury Funeral Homes of Littleton, NH.