MEREDITH, NH—Thomas Emerson Proctor Rice Jr.,died peacefully January 27, 2017, at the age of 93, in Meredith, NH. BornApril 2, 1923, in Boston,MA, he was the elderson of Thomas E.P. Rice,Sr. and Elisabeth Lyman Rice.
As a child, Tom and his brother Lyman spent time with his Rice grandparents at their Turner Hill estate in Ipswich, MA, and summered at their father’s home in Meredith. Tom’s father, a World War I aviator, purchased Stonedam Island on Lake Winnipesaukee in the early 1930s and became interested in the seaplane base at the Weirs, which he eventually owned. Tom and Lyman had great times boating on the “Big Lake,” camping on Stonedam Island, “hanging out” with the aviators at the Weirs, flying in the remarkable Sikorsky S-38 amphibian, havingadventures and generally getting into the kind of trouble that was allowed in the 1930s. Those adventures included a two-week trip around the lake on a raft powered by a three-horsepower engine, their supplies dropped to them by the pilots from the seaplane base. Tom got his pilot's license after just two weeks of instructionon his 16th birthday in 1939.
Tom entered the U.S. Coast Guard in May 1941 and proudly served for the duration of World War II anduntilMay1947 as a diesel mechanic, achieving a rank of Motor Machinist's Mate, Second Class (MoMM2c). During his time in the service, his experiences included patrolling the Atlantic Coast and sailing through the Panama Canal to the Philippines, Japan, and China. He received the American Defense Medal, awarded for being in the service prior to Pearl Harbor, the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
While on leave from Coast Guard Lightship No. 54 stationed in Boston, Tom went to town for some off-duty time. It was November 28, 1942,and he was at the Cocoanut Grove Night Club the night it burned.Shortly after leaving to return to his ship, the fire alarms went off and he spent the remainder of the night helping to remove the victims of the worst nightclub fire in history.
After leaving the Coast Guard, Tom flewaround the perimeter of the United States with a friend in a two-seater plane, landing in fields, sleeping under the wings at night, and even getting some “stick time” in a war surplus P-51 fighter plane.
In the early 1950s,Tom met Delores Jean Chase in Laconia and, after a whirlwind three-month romance, they elopedto Seattle, WA. On a whim, they moved to Fairbanks, AK, living there for six years.They enjoyed the countryside, flying, fishing and hunting. Tom and Del came back to Laconia in 1960 with three children: Katherine, Dennis and Priscilla.
Tom was a generous man who would be the first person to lend a hand to someone in need. Tom and Del ran an open house where kids could come and go freely, the home always stocked with plenty of food, ice cream and a bed to sleep in if needed! They thought nothing of renting a van and taking a dozen kids to the Barnum and Bailey Circus in Boston. Summers were full of swimming, camping and boat rides for all. In the winter Tom would tie a rope to the tractor and pull kids on skis through the woods and across the Paugus Bay. Even in his 80s, Tom would pack his grandson, three or four friends, and a dog and bring them to the lake for a day of swimming and boating. He was still diving off the dock headfirst until he was nearly 90. He loved Halloween and enjoyed greeting the young trick-or-treaters.
Throughout his life, Tom worked at many occupations, includingas a salesman at Irwin Marine and Piche’s Ski Shop and a mechanic at Laconia Honda. He also owned several businesses including a gas station and a small engine and motorcycle shop with his son Dennis. Most people will remember Tom Rice from his many years of public service. He loved politics and campaigning for his chosen candidate.His first questionto candidates was always ‘What is your stance on the 2nd Amendment” to much eye rolling among his friends – they must have heard that at least a thousand times. He also greatly enjoyed serving as a Laconia City Councilman1981-83, and then in the state legislature from Laconia, 1988-2004.
Tom was predeceased by his wife,Delores, in 1998, and his brother Lyman Rice in 1991.Tom leaves behind his children Katherine Anne Rice and Dennis Gerald Rice, both currently of Florida,and Priscilla Louise Rice and her companion Richard Mongeon of Meredith, with whom he resided. He also leaves grandson Aaron Joseph Burns of Littleton, NH; grandchildren Thomas, Katie and Madison Rice of Florida; brothers Emery Rice and his wife Joyce, Seth Rice, William and Dick Jackson, sister-in-law Mary Rice of Moultonborough, many nieces and nephews including Jane Rice of Moultonborough and Cynthia Vose of Massachusetts.
According toTom’s wishes, there will be no service or calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held February 10thfrom 12p.m. to 3p.m. at Pitman’s Freight Room, 94 New Salem St., Laconia, NH 03246.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish might honor Tom’s memory with a donation to Pemi-Baker Hospice, 101 Boulder Point Dr., Plymouth, NH 03264 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements