Captain Gregory Alan Keazer, 68, passed away on April 8th with his loving daughters and family Donna, Dottie and Bob Keazer by his side at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH. Greg was born in West Stewartstown, NH on December 17, 1947, and was the son of the late Brandon and Kathleen (Hughes) Keazer. He was a 1965 graduate of Colebrook Academy and obtained an Associate Degree in Forest Management from UNH Thompson School in 1971.
Greg began his working career at a young age as a truck driver hauling logs. He then was drafted into the Army for the Vietnam War. For his service in Vietnam Greg received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Parachute Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Good Conduct Service Medal and Purple Heart. In June of 1968 Greg was severely wounded by sniper fire and shrapnel from a land mine. He spent nine months in a military hospital on Long Island. He was told that he would never walk again and in true Greg Keazer spirit he proved them all wrong and would eventually hike the AMC hut system and teach his girls the love of hiking, hunting and walking in the woods.
After Vietnam Greg married Donna Gould, a marriage that lasted twenty years and although the marriage ended the love and friendship never did. Greg began his law enforcement career as a police officer on the Hampton, NH Police Department. The family then moved to Texas when Greg joined the United States Border Patrol graduating class 106A. Greg then joined US Customs and was stationed in Rio Grande City and later Falcon Dam, Texas. The family moved again to Houma, LA with US Customs and finally to Naples, FL where Greg worked as a US Customs Marine Enforcement drug interdiction officer where he became a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain. He retired after 25 years of service.
Greg was always good company and he would tell many true rare stories that would produce a good heart-felt belly laugh. He told what people thought were outlandish tales that generally checked out to be true. He also always gave you something to think about or a different way of looking at things. He loved sugaring and eventually purchased Dean Hughes’ sugar lot. He got everyone excited about tapping trees and making maple syrup. He loved fishing, shooting guns and working in the woods.
He leaves behind his daughters Joanne Keazer Novy (Robert) Fairfax, VA; Shannon Curran (Matthew) Hovland, MN; and Colene Townsend (Jacob) Naples, FL; and grandchildren Hannah and Garrett Curran, Daman Patel and Ciera Townsend, and Zoriana and Lincoln Novy; two sisters Brenda Towne (Morris) Plattsburgh, NY; and Rosemary Riendeau (Gerard) Canaan, VT, and many nieces and nephews. His brother Hugh Keazer (Lorraine) Dover, NH, preceded him in death.
Greg didn’t like funerals but he always liked a good party so we will throw one last party this summer in his honor as a celebration of his life. Date and place still to be determined. In lieu of flowers Greg would like you to take your family or loved ones out for a seafood dinner and enjoy the sunset.