William G. Dykstra

Mr. William G. Dykstra Sr., 91, of Manchester died Tuesday March 20, 2007 at his home in Manchester. Born on May 9, 1915 in New York City the son of the late Thomas and Gertrude Dykstra. He moved to Manchester at the age of 5. He was educated in the Manchester school system and graduated from Central High School. He worked at the family business, Dykstra Brothers Cigar Manufacturing Company, making hand rolled cigars. During World War II, he worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a welder to help with the war efforts. In 1946, he went to work for Granite State Packing Company in Manchester. He worked as a plant engineer and retired after 32 years. While working at Granite State Packing he received training, becoming a master electrician and plumber and also learned a lot about refrigeration. After leaving Granite State, he went on to co-found NH Plastics in Manchester where he worked until he retired in 1997 at the age of 82. He enjoyed dancing and fishing for flounder. Mr. Dykstra was a hard working family man. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. His family cared for him for the past 10 years while he suffered from dementia, allowing him to live at home. He is survived by his son, William G. Dykstra Jr., of Manassas, VA; two daughters, Trudy Desmarais of Manchester and Joan Dykstra of Manchester; 4 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Natalie (Polidori) Dykstra who died June 3, 2000. His Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 5:30PM with his Memorial Service to follow at 5:30PM in the Chapel at the Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St, Manchester, NH. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in William’s name can be made to the Easter Seals of NH, Alzheimer’s Division, Attn. Kim High, 555 Auburn St, Manchester, NH 03103.