John L. Gardner

1924 -2009

NORTH CONWAY – John Lawrence Gardner, 85, of Conway, passed away peacefully Aug. 29, at the Memorial Hospital in North Conway, with family at his side.
He was born June 26, 1924, to Adelard and Anna (Theriault) Gardner at home on Perkins Ridge, in Auburn. He was the eighth of 11 children.
John’s lifelong pursuit of education went from the small school on Perkins Ridge to graduation from Edward Little High School of Auburn in 1942. His schooling was interrupted while he served three years in the 13th Airborne Glider Infantry.

John’s education continued with time at Bentley College, supplemented with correspondence courses and night courses in Boston and New York City. He received his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in 1970.

Concurrent with his education, John worked his way through the paper mill accounting offices of Oxford Paper Co., in Rumford, and Lawrence, Mass. When he had worked four years at company headquarters in New York City, a company based in Richmond, Va., purchased Oxford Paper. Deciding a move further south wasn’t acceptable, John moved north and joined Brown Co., in Berlin, N.H., in 1970. He and his family resided in Gorham.

John was a quiet and soft-spoken man who loved his family deeply. He found great pleasure in the time he spent with his granddaughter, Kelly. His calm demeanor and strong resolve epitomized the phrase, “still waters run deep.” Forever a student, John’s studies included genealogy and computer technology. His family tree research was extensive. He was an avid snowmobiler and loyal follower of the Boston Celtics and Red Sox.

He is survived by his son, John D., of Conway; a granddaughter, Kelly E. Gardner of Rochester, N.Y.; a brother, Dr. Camille Gardner and his wife, Polly, of Lewiston; two sisters, Corrinne Verriault and her husband, Norman, of Lewiston, and Alice Grover of Dover, N.H.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Glenice Margaret (Oakes) Gardner, in June of 2009; four brothers, Laurent, Arsene, George and Reginald; and three sisters, Martha, Laurette and Madeline.