Allan Orville Fessenden

Allan Orville Fessenden, 88, longtime resident of Brookline, NH and Edenton, NC, passed away peacefully in Nashua on August 21.

Allan was born on May 22, 1936, in Fitchburg, MA to Nason and Elsie (Beaubien) Fessenden Sr. Raised in Brookline and a graduate of Nashua High School, Allan joined the U.S. Air Force and served overseas in Asia until he was honorably discharged in 1962. He went on to have a career in telecommunications, working for 35 years for New England Telephone, NYNEX, and eventually Verizon. In June 1963, Allan married Sandra Safford, also of Brookline, and they lived for more than 30 years on Potanipo Lake, where they raised two children. Allen and Sandy retired to Edenton, NC in 2000.

Allan was a dedicated family man and loyal friend, who believed in community service. In Brookline, he served for many years as a volunteer fireman and Treasurer of the Brookline FD Association, Selectman, and Planning Board member, among others; in retirement, he served on the Chowan County Board of Elections in North Carolina, including as Chair. Allan could always be relied on to lend a helping hand and his children have fond memories of tagging along on to run weekend errands with their father, which always included visits to their grandparents. He was an avid skier, cook, coin and stamp collector, among his interests. He loved traveling, especially if it involved a road trip. Allan also relished spending summers with family and friends at the water, either boating on Potanipo or at the family’s vacation home in York, ME. He had a big heart for animals and provided a loving home to many dogs and cats throughout his life. From Edenton, Allan moved back to the area in 2018 and lived at The Huntington at Nashua, where he was known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and big smile.

In addition to his parents, Allan was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Sandra (Safford), and siblings Nason Jr., Eleanor (Austin), Irene (Thompson), and Walter.

Allan is survived by his two children: Pamela, who is a NH resident working overseas in the Foreign Service, and Michael and son-in-law Michael of Portsmouth, NH, brother Robert (Patricia), two grandchildren, Benjamin and Charles, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Allan’s life and honor his memory will be held on November 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM, in the Brookline Community Church, 2 Main Street, Brookline, NH. Burial will follow in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Brookline.

Arrangements are in the care of the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055. To share memories and offer condolences online, please visit www.smith-heald.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA.