LITCHFIELD ---- Darren Charles Wardwell, 63, of Litchfield, NH, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025, with his loving wife by his side.
Darren was born on May 18, 1961, in Buffalo, NY, to the late William and Lillian (McGowan) Wardwell. From the ages of 5 to 13, Darren lived in Haslet, NJ, before moving to Greensboro, NC. He attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. During his time in college, he joined the ROTC, which led to a distinguished military career in the U.S. Army. He began as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division and was promoted to Captain before receiving an honorable discharge in 1989.
Darren then moved to New Hampshire to be near his family, where he began his highly successful career in Human Resources Management. He deeply loved and cherished his family and loved ones. He had a generous spirit and was a nature and sports enthusiast. While he had many other admirable qualities, he will be most remembered for his gift for making others laugh and his ability to light up every room he entered, which will stay with us forever.
He is survived by his wife, Kathie Bourret, of Litchfield, NH; stepsons, Larry Clifford and his partner Sadie Brown, of Melrose, MA, and Greg Clifford and his wife Laura, of Windham, ME; children, Rachael (Wardwell) Bichel and her husband Heath, of Yakima, WA, and Kyle Wardwell, of Seoul, South Korea; sister, Laurie (Wardwell) Sweeney and her husband Bruce, of Manchester, NH; brother, Chip Wardwell and his wife Jackie, of Monroe, NC; brother-in-law Ron Laplume, of Manchester, NH and five grandchildren: Leo, Otis, Lily Piper, Wyatt, and Hunter. He will be deeply missed as “Pepere” by his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Darren was predeceased by his beloved sister, Sharon Laplume.
A Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.