Arnold Maurice Patch, Jr., 78, of Hillview Circle in Charlestown, NH, died Saturday morning, October 30, 2010 at the Veterans Administration Health Center in White River Junction, VT with his beloved wife Ellie and his girls by his side.

He was born in Claremont, NH on Sept. 11, 1932 the son of Arnold M. and Ezelia (Bergeron) Patch, Sr.  He resided in Claremont most of his life and in Charlestown since 2003.  Arnold was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in the Class of 1950.  He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the US Army.

He retired in 2003 from the Water & Sewer Department of the City of Claremont Department of Public Works where he was a meter reader for fifteen years and had previously worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Windsor for twenty years and at Smith Auto Sales on West Pleasant Street in Claremont for twelve years.

Mr. Patch was a member of the Senior Citizen Clubs of Claremont, Charlestown and Newport.

In his early years he enjoyed camping with his family, hunting and shopping.  In his golden years he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, traveling to Florida, New Mexico and taking bus trips with his loving wife, Ellie.

His first wife, Claire Anita (Theroux) Patch, whom he married on Nov. 17, 1956, died March 13, 1999.

The surviving family includes his wife, Eleanor (Hipwell) Laviolette Patch of Charlestown whom he married on Aug. 8, 2003; one daughter, Leann M. Esdon and special son-in-law, Jim of Claremont; two sons, Brian J. Patch  and his wife Lisa of Newbury and Keith A. Patch and his wife Cindy of Plainfield; five grandchildren, Meaghan Esdon, Claire Esdon, Stephen Patch, Andrew Patch and Gavin Patch; one step-son, Mark Laviolette of Rio Rancho, NM; two step-daughters, Cynthia Niblett of Lecanto, FL  and Carol McClelland of Londonderry; seven step-grandchildren; five step- great-grandchildren; one sister, Jane Morey and husband Frank of Claremont; one brother, Kenneth Patch and his wife, Maggie of Charleston, SC, also nieces, nephews and cousins.

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

Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday morning, Nov. 3rd at Eleven O’clock with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor of St Mary’s Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in St Mary Cemetery. 

The family suggests that donations may be made in his memory to the Claremont Senior Center, 5 Acer  Road, Claremont, NH 03743 or the Charlestown Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 369, Charlestown, NH 03603.