GILMANTON - Wilbur Lawrence Buchanan passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, New Hampshire.
He was born on March 18, 1926 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of the late William and Hilma (Nelson) Buchanan. Wilbur served as a First Class Signalman in the United States Navy during World War II. He worked for thirty years as a Lieutenant Firefighter for the City of Weymouth, Massachusetts. Wilbur also worked for a number of years in the Maintenance Department for Angelo's Supermarket in Massachusetts. He was a Master in the Masonic Temple in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Wilbur and his wife Phyllis maintained a vacation home in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, and were fond of skiing with their children at the Gunstock Ski Area. They moved from Weymouth to living full-time in Gilmanton after retirement. Wilbur avidly pursued his hobby of operating a ham radio, and often spoke of the conversations he had with ham radio operators from all parts of the world. He also engaged in collecting and repairing antique radios and jukeboxes. Wilbur was well known for his easy conversation and sense of humor. Wilbur was fond of classic country music, especially Hank Williams.
He is survived by his daughter, Denise Buchanan of Gilmanton, New Hampshire; his son, Keith Buchanan of Plympton, Massachusetts and his wife, Joanne Machernis Buchanan; their children, Ashley Buchanan and her fiancé, Cody Sousa, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island; and Sean Buchanan and and his wife, Molly Boudreau Buchanan of Duxbury, Massachusetts, as well as their two children, Grace Katherine Buchanan and Charles Robert Buchanan. Wilbur was proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved his grand-dog, Blondie, a Golden Retriever. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Phyllis (Larson) Buchanan on March 8, 2017.
There will be no calling hours.
A service with military honors will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH, 03303.
In lieu of flowers or for those who would like to donate, memorial contributions may be made to the Gilmanton Corner Public Library, P.O. Box 504, Gilmanton, NH 03237; to Compassus Health Care (hospice services), 170 South River Road, Building 2, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110 or to Folds of Honor, 5800 N. Patriot Dr, Owasso, OK 74055.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, New Hampshire is assisting the family with the arrangements.