Wilbur C. Hodgman, 83, of Spaulding Street, died Wednesday evening, July 8, 2009 at his home after a sudden illness.

He was born in Newport, NH on March 31, 1926 the son of Frank Halvis and Conchita (Nichols) Hodgman and had resided in Claremont since 1950. He was a veteran of World War II having served  in the US Navy. During his time in London he was a naval communications specialist and one of a very few privy to information transmitted on D-Day 1944.

Wilbur worked at Joy Manufacturing Co. as a machinist, David Heller  Clothing Co. as a tailor, Claremont Maid and Montclair Shoe and for 23 years was general manager and interior decorator at Bourdon’s Inc., retiring in 1986.

His priorities in life were his family, his service to his country and his church.  He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church where he was in the Church Vestry, a Past Senior Warden and also a member of the Brotherhood of St Andrew.  He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 29  and the AARP.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading, home remodeling and loved family gatherings, the Maine seacoast especially around Wells, and the Red Sox.

The surviving family includes his wife, Joan M. (Thomas) Hodgman of Claremont whom he married on Sept. 21, 1946 in London, England; two sons, Anthony J. Hodgman and his wife Sharon of Claremont and Stephen P. Hodgman and his wife, Isabelle of Bedford; two daughters, Wendy O. Murray and her fiancée, Francis Zombeck and Jessica J. Bladen all of Claremont;  eight grandchildren, Mark Hodgman, Lisa Murray, Dylan Bladen, Ryan Hodgman, Molly Bladen, Thomas Hodgman, Caitlin Hodgman and Jeffrey Murray; two great-granddaughters, Mackenzie Murray Brown and Autumn Lanou; one brother, Frank Hodgman of Goshen and several nieces, nephews and cousins,

He was pre-deceased by one son, Mark P. Hodgman who died in 1953 and one brother, Harold Hodgman and one sister, Bessie Mae Clough.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street on Friday evening from 6 to 8 PM.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday morning, July 11^th at Eleven O’clock in the Trinity Episcopal Church with The Reverend Susan Langle, Rector, officiating.  Interment with full military honors provided by the American Legion will be held in the West Claremont Burying Ground.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 172, Claremont, NH 03743.