ALTON ---- Longtime Alton resident William “Bill” Moore has passed away at home on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. He was 92.
Mr. Moore grew up in Chelsea, Massachusetts, where he was an all-scholastic football player who, following high school, attended Niagara University before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.
Following his military service, Mr. Moore joined the City of Chelsea Police Department. He and his late wife Nancy were active in their community and both served on the Chelsea School Committee at various times through the 1960’s and 70’s. Bill and Nancy also operated Moore’s Richdale Convenience store in Chelsea and pretty much every Chelsea resident of the Baby Boom generation of that era personally knew at least one member of the Moore family.
For many years the Moores would spend summers at their cottage at Alton Shores and later the former Grand View Inn on Alton Mountain. In the mid 1970’s Mr. Moore realized his lifelong dream of owning his own farm and moved the family to the former Living Water Ranch property on New Durham Road.
Always looking for new challenges, Bill and his wife Nancy purchased a long closed restaurant on Route 11 in New Durham and opened Mama Rina’s Italian Restaurant which quickly became one of the areas favorite dining establishments.
Despite putting in long days at the restaurant, Mr. Moore still found time to participate in the community as a member of the Lion’s Club, the American Legion, as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and on the Town of Alton Budget Committee.
Nothing was more important to Bill and Nancy Moore than family, as they were the proud parents of ten children.
Married for 50 years to his beloved Nancy who passed away in 2000, Mr. Moore was predeceased by two children, their oldest William C. and youngest Patrick. He leaves behind daughters Michelle Sherman of Florida, Linda DiRosa and Kimberly Moore Gordon of Gilmanton, Nancy Moore of Oregon, Stacey MacDonald, Allison Brown and sons, Thomas, and John Moore, all of Alton. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A Graveside Service with full military honors will take place on Tuesday, July 26, at 11:00am at the New Riverside Cemetery in Alton.
Memorial donations can be made to Comforting Hands, 68 Main St. Northwood, NH 03261 or Cornerstone VNA, 178 Farmington Rd, Rochester, NH 03867.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.