Hugh R. Fifield

Hugh Robert Fifield, Sr was born September 17, 1931 the third of 6 children born to Roland Oliver Fifield and Margaret (Smith) Fifield in Penacook, NH. Siblings included Oliver, Stuart, Margaret Fife, David and Jon. Hugh graduated from Penacook High School with the class of 1949. He then took a job at a dairy farm in Contoocook and learned the art of horse logging part time until he was drafted into the Army. He served two years during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954. Hugh developed an affinity to draft horses and the woods. He took logging jobs with his horses staying in lumber camps with other horse loggers and their horses until the job was completed. Then he went on to the next job in another patch of woods in NH. His father advised him to buy a small cape and barn in Canterbury. He did so and raised a family with his new wife, Dolores (Pease) Fifield. They stayed in that old cape for 20 or so years. They raised five children, Carrie Cascio, Hugh Robert Fifield II, Amy Fifield, Julie Lockwood and Timothy Roland Fifield. The old cape was feeling mighty small so they built a bigger home on the same property with the help of many hands of friends and family. Hugh logged and started driving a bus for Canterbury students. Eventually he bought the bus business and with the help of his wife, ran buses for about 15 years. He also took a job with the Canterbury road crew. He was soon voted in as Road Agent there. While bussing and serving as road agent, he logged with his horses and managed to set up a circular sawmill on his property. Hugh served as road agent for 23 years. The 1993 town annual report was dedicated to Hugh upon his retirement and included a resolution to adopt a "Hugh Fifield Day" on Friday, March 11, 1994 which was town meeting day. Hughie ran the sawmill and logged and farmed with his horses, with the help of his friend and neighbor, George Boisvert for many years. Friends, family and mill customers knew they could find Hugh and George at the kitchen table every day at 9:30 having coffee. Coffee break was usually attended well with various friends and family either needing to order lumber or just listen in on some fine animated storytelling and a good laugh or two. Hugh kept the mill going and sawed until the ripe old age of 89. Hugh was a man not tied to social or economic barriers. If friends were counted for a person's net worth, he would be a millionaire. His caring attitude, sense of integrity and commitment has earned him much respect. Many are proud for having been fortunate enough to know him. In addition to Hugh's above-mentioned children, he has loved four grandchildren, Kara Cascio, Jacqueline Fifield, Isabella Lockwood and Morgan Fifield. Also, one great grandson, Miles Bradford. Beloved in laws include Brian Lockwood, Andrea Fifield and Kevin McKenna. A memorial service will be held outdoors (Bring along your lawn chair for comfort) at Canterbury Center adjacent to the UC Church on Friday, July 2, 2021, BEGINNING AT 10:00 AM. Burial (at Maple Grove Cemetery) will be immediately after service with optional attendance. A reception will follow service at Canterbury Woods Country Club on West Rd in Canterbury. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in memory of Hugh may be made to Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury St, Concord, NH 03301. Thibault-Neun Funeral Home in Franklin is assisting with arrangements. For an online guestbook, please visit www.neunfuneralhomes.com

Hugh R. Fifield

June 20, 2021