morning, October 7, 2006 at the Haven Health Center of Claremont.
He was a native and life long resident of Cornish, NH born on August 13,
1918 the son of James Brewster and Grace (Skinner) Fitch.
He was the widower of Carol (French) Fitch whom he married on Sept. 24, 1944
and she died Jan. 1, 1988 and was also preceded in death by two sisters,
Bethena Maynes and Clara Jean Fitch.
The surviving family includes his children, Martha Zoerheide of Cornish,
James Fitch of Cornish., Orville "Bud" Fitch II of Concord, Velma Lord of
Cornish and Sylvia Abbott of Windsor, VT; grandchildren, Melissa Zoerheide
of Sharon, VT, Gabriel Zoerheide of Cornish, Jordan Fitch of Cornish,
Cassandra Smith of Seattle, WA and Courtland Brewster Fitch of Cornish; two
sisters, Laura Woodward of Windsor, VT and Bernice Johnson of Cornish; two
brothers, Howard Fitch of Sylmar, CA and Wendell Fitch of Wells, VT also
thirty-three nieces and nephews.
Orville was a farmer all his life. In addition he retired as the head
gardener of Saint Gaudens National Historic Site. He also worked at
Whitcomb Lobster Trap Company, was a rural mailman and drove the local
school bus. Orville was an active member and Past Master of Cornish Grange
#25, a member of the National Grange, the United Church of Cornish, Cornish
Garden Club, Cornish Historical Society and was a Trustee of the Cornish
Meeting House. He was one of the first tree farmers in New Hampshire as
well as a member of the Timberland Owners Association and Farm Bureau. For
the past several years he has been a volunteer driver for the Volunteers In
Action.
He loved working on his farm as six generations did before him and two after
him. He spent a lot of time through his life cutting firewood and recently
collecting stones for a shed restoration project with his beloved John Deere
40. Orville enjoyed his annual hikes to the top of Mt Washington well into
his 70"s. He was known for his quiet gentle nature and was always willing
to help his neighbors and relatives.
A memorial service will be held Saturday afternoon, October 14th at One
O'clock at the Chase Cemetery on Platt Road in Cornish.
The family suggests that contributions may be sent in his memory to the
Volunteers In Action, 54 Main Street, Windsor, VT 05089.