KB1NZP Silent Key

Obituary

KB1NZP
Peter (Pete) Richard Hall Holtby, of Acton, Maine went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the age of ninety-one, with his two loving sons, David and Stephen, by his side.

Pete was born in Winnipeg, Canada on March 9, 1930, the eldest child of Alfred Sydney Thomas Holtby and Sarah Kathleen (Holman) Holtby. Pete’s family moved from Calgary, Canada to Glendale, California where he graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in 1948.

Pete was a patriot, proudly serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Army Aviation Company of the 45th division during the Korean War. Peter earned the Bronze star …

Pete married the love of his life Elizabeth “Jane” Hemmington on March 8, 1958 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pete wrote to Jane, “I thought I knew what love was but I didn’t until I met you.” He is reunited with his lifetime love in heaven in the presence of their first love, Jesus Christ.

Pete and Jane made their home in Anaheim, California where they had their three children. When Pete became a Captain for American Airlines in Boston, Massachusetts he moved his young family across the country to Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. They purchased a camp on Square Pond in Acton, Maine and quickly fell in love with the area.

Pete moved his family to Merrywood Farm in Lebanon, Maine in 1970, which was only a short drive to their camp. The 200-acre farm fulfilled a dream the family had to raise Polled Hereford cattle and horses. The whole family worked the farm together and showed their horses and cattle at fairs, bringing home many ribbons, trophies, and awards.

Pete was committed to helping others and his community. He served as a First Responder on the Fire and Rescue Squads in Lebanon and Acton, Maine for many years. In 1964, he began driving ambulances and at 80 years old was still actively responding to calls. In 2010, Pete was awarded the Emergency Medical Services Merit Award by Maine Governor Baldacci.

Pete’s hobbies included birdwatching, communicating with others on his ham radio, driving Jane and her friends to quilt shops, and studying and learning about the weather. Pete remained active in the weather spotters society of Gray, Maine continuing to monitor weather for the National Weather Service.

Pete was predeceased by his loving wife Jane, his daughter Debbie Clark, two brothers Michael Holtby, Jon Holtby, and a sister Sharon Holtby .

Loved ones left behind include his son David Holtby and wife Julianna of Woodford Virginia, Stephen Holtby and wife Sherrie of Lebanon, Maine, his sister Pat Rector of White Oak, Texas, 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and his faithful canine companion Kelly.

Services will be held at the north Lebanon Second Baptist church on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM. There will be a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: North Lebanon Second Baptist Church or the Acton Rescue Squad

A private spring internment at Springvale Veterans Cemetery will follow.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

To send sympathy gifts to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peter Holtby, please visit our tribute store.

https://www.blackfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Peter-Holtby

KB1OWW Silent Key

Joe “June” Despres’ (KB1OWW) went silent key on July 29, 2021. He will be greatly missed by those of us who know him from the ham radio community. Joe had been participating with the NEWN since the 1960’s. His stories could entertain you for hours and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Joe was truly a jack of all trades. He was with the Army (Green Berets) in Germany during the Cold War. He met his wife Karin there. He was an avid hunter, trapper, and outdoorsman. Joe could fix radios and built and modified a lot of equipment over the years. I will miss the “eye balls” over a cup of coffee in his ham shack and the long QSO’s over the air.


Obituary: https://www.lajoiefuneralhome.com/obituary/joseph-june-despres


Jack, W1AWX

W2BIK SK – August Pintak (1931-2020)

Obituary

Vernon Twp.; August Vincent Pintak, 89, passed away on October 23, 2020. August was born on June 15, 1931 in North Bergen, NJ to August John and Erma Carrie (nee Bohn) Pintak.

August served during the Korean War in the US Marines. August was a self employed and accomplished electrician and carpenter. He was an amateur Ham Radio operator. He was an ice dance skater and a member of the Bear Mtn. Ice Skating Club and worked for the Fritz Deitl Ice Skating Rink in Westwood, NJ.

August was predeceased by his wife Catherine in 2014.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Keller and her husband Robert of Vernon, and his five grandchildren, Dawn, Keith Jr., James, Stephanie and Brianna, and his great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn, and his sister Lorraine Ryle.

**Relatives and friends will be received on Monday October 26th from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Ferguson – Vernon Funeral Home 241 Rt. 94, Vernon, NJ (GPS use 1 Vanderhoof Court), funeral service on Tuesday October 27th at 10am at the funeral home, committal services at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations, to Sussex United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 244, Sussex, NJ 07461. For directions and condolences see www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com.

Copied from: https://fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com/book-of-memories/4368014/Pintak-August/index.php

AB2ZO Silent Key

Frank J. Tomesch
(1945-2020)

Poughkeepsie – Frank J. Tomesch, 74, passed away at home on, Sunday, February 16, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. The son of the late Frank A. and Joan S. Valla Tomesch, he was born on November 3, 1945 in Little Ferry, NJ. On August 11, 2001, he married Lisa H. Andersen in Tarrytown, NY, she survives at home. Frank served his country as a Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era and was employed with Metropolitan Life in NYC as a computer programmer. Being remembered as an amateur radio enthusiast, he was a member of the Overlook and Mount Beacon Amateur Radio Clubs and an official observer for the National Weather Service for Poughkeepsie. Frank also belonged to the Sons of Norway, the New England Weather Net, and also a member of the ROTC at St. Peter’s College. Frank is survived by his daughter, Johanna Tomesch and her companion Miles Uchida, both of Portland, OR, his stepson, Seth A. Pierzkor of Orlando, FL, his brother John Tomesch and wife Kristine of Succasunna, NJ, as well as several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020, from 4:00pm – 8:00PM, at the Wm. G. Miller & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 10:00AM, at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, 185 Hudson View Dr. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Burial will take place at a later date in the Gerald R. Solomon National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871 with military honors. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frank’s name to St. Peter’s Church. If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.

Phil Bretz, KE2EA SK

Phil Bretz, KE2EA, was a very long time member of the New England Weather Net and served as a Net Control for many of those years.

I received a call today from Phil’s son-in-law, John Wojack, KC2JAM, telling me that Phil died at home last night after a long battle with bone marrow cancer.  Phil was in the hospital for the last three weeks but chose to return home where he could pass in peace.  Phil’s wife passed away last June after a very long illness.

Claire and I had a wonderful visit with Phil and his wife during our trip to Alaska in 2013.

 

BILL CLAFLIN, SWL, #1 ON OUR ROSTER

William Claflin, 79

June 13, 2017

William W Claflin, Jr., born on August 8 1937 in Boston, to William W. & Ruth (Putnam), died peacefully at home with his dear friends and caregivers, Janice and George Bassett, after a brief hospitalization. Bill, a life long resident of Marion, qualifies as an original “townie”.

Shortly after graduating from Northwood School, Lake Placid, New York, Bill enlisted in the US Army in 1959 and served with honors until his discharge in 1962.

Bill’s knowledge of emergency communications electronics, encouraged him to own and operate Electronics Sales & Service, Inc, New Bedford, MA, until his retirement in 2008.

Bill’s passion for emergency electronics allowed him to serve as communications specialist on the Marion Fire Department. Further, Bill served as Secretary, Historian, and Treasurer of the Marion Fire Fighters Association, for 50 plus years: he was a life member of the association. His second greatest passion was serving with the Marion Social Club, which he did from l983 until his passing.

Bill leaves many, many friends in town and would especially like to remember his “best pal”, Mason Noble, who he mentored for several years. Mason is his “adopted” great-grandson.

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion. Visiting hours will be Friday from 5 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Marion Firefighters Association.

Association, P O Box 114, Marion, MA 02738 or the Marion Social Club, P O Box 763, Marion, MA 02738.

For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.

WA1KCC – Kenneth "Jim" Bradbury – 1937-2017 (Silent Key)

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth “Jim” Bradbury (NEWN Roster #48 WA1KCC) on May 25, 2017. Jim was a long term participant of the New England Weather Net and served as one of the weekly net control operators. He will be missed by all of us on the net.

Here is a link to Jim’s obituary:

http://www.capecodtimes.com/obituaries/20170527/kenneth-james-bradbury-jr-9281937—5252017

Silent Key – KB2OEV

We are sad to report that New England Weather Net member, Robert T. Salamy (KB2OEV – NEWN Roster # 57) of Tupper Lake, NY went Silent Key on February 6, 2017.

Obituary from: Stuart-Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, Tupper Lake, NY

Robert T. Salamy

March 4, 1959 – February 6, 2017 


Robert T. Salamy (KB2OEV)

Robert T. Salamy, (Rob/Bob) age 57, of Tupper Lake, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2017 at home. Rob was born in Tupper Lake on March 4, 1959 to Anthony and Margaret (Duffy) Salamy. He graduated from Tupper Lake Central School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Oswego State University. Rob retired from FCI Raybrook in 2011, where he worked for 25 years as an electronics technician. Rob also worked many summers doing landscaping for his good friend Mike at Dechene Enterprises. He had many hobbies that he was very passionate about. He was an avid ham radio operator where he made many friends from all over the world, even visiting some on a recent trip to Europe. He played guitar regularly at P2’s with open mic friends. He also enjoyed kayaking with his daughters dog Scout on the Racquette River. Rob was a very talented woodworker and has sold many of his pieces all over the country. Rob is survived by his loving wife, Michele (Davis) Salamy of 30 years. His children, Erica Salamy of Keene, NH, Joseph Salamy of Tupper Lake, brothers John (Joanne) Salamy of Tupper Lake, Michael Salamy (Alyson Delaney) of Canaan, NH, David (Lauri) Salamy of Saranac Lake, along with many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his father, Anthony (Tom) Salamy. Contributions may be made in his memory to Adirondack Health Foundation (Merrill Center for Oncology). www.adirondackhealth.org.