1934 – 2013

RUMFORD — Alton P. Arsenault, 79, of Carthage, died early Wednesday morning, Nov. 27, at the Rumford Community Home, with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Dixfield on May 20, 1934, a son of Prosper and Jennie (Polland) Arsenault. Alton attended local schools and graduated from Dixfield High School in 1952. On March 20, 1953, he married Beverly Whipple in Dixfield.

Alton was a beloved member of the Dixfield and Carthage communities throughout the years. He was self-employed the majority of his working career, whether logging, helping run Arsenault’s Construction or owning and operating Arsenault’s store in Carthage. He also worked as a school bus driver and, in his retirement, worked the tow rope on the bunny slope at Black Mountain in Rumford.

A true outdoorsman, Alton loved hunting, fishing and woodworking. As a younger man, he enjoyed playing sports, especially hockey, which he also later coached. One of his greatest pleasures was the opportunity to follow Dirigo sports, especially cheering on his daughters and grandchildren.

He was a member and one of the originating fathers of the Webb River Valley Sportsman’s Club on Canton Point Road in Dixfield.

Alton is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Carthage; daughters, Heidi Hewett and her husband, Wayne, of Carthage, Julie Reid and her companion, Jack Corliss, of Peru, Tracy Hutchinson and her husband, Kim, of Dixfield and Amy Chiasson and her husband, Chris, of Dixfield; grandchildren, Shane Reid and his wife, Alyson, of Las Vegas, Nev., Jeromi Corliss and his companion, Jill, of Rumford, Jada Carter of Carthage, Katie Hutchinson of Houston, Texas, Kyle Hutchinson of Dixfield and Tyler and Cooper Chiasson of Dixfield; one great-granddaughter, Ella Marie; a sister, Carole Foley and her husband, Barry, of Rochester, N.H.; a niece, Jeannette Mason, of Florida; and longtime family friends, David Young and Dave and Gerrie Warren.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Jeannette and Robert.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.