Darryl John Dinsdale

Darryl John Dinsdale, of Merrimack, NH, passed away at the age of 87. He was born on June 16, 1939, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, the son of Carlos Dinsdale and Hazel (Hetherington) Dinsdale.

Due to difficult family and economic circumstances, Darryl spent much of his childhood in the “foster care system” in Peterborough. He often said that he “moved more times than he could remember” and “probably attended every school in Peterborough”. Darryl was an excellent student and credits a math teacher with changing his life by encouraging him to go to college and use his math skills.

Darryl worked many jobs to earn money to attend McMaster University, where he studied to become a nuclear physicist. Once at university, he decided he didn’t want to work in a lab his entire life and ended up studying philosophy and history as well as chemistry and the sciences.

Darryl met Nancy in 1966 while both working at Nashua Paper; she stood out to him for her outgoing personality and spirited, athletic nature. They were married on October 12, 1968, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and shared 57 years of marriage. Darryl’s career brought him at age 30, along with Nancy, to Nashua, NH. Darryl saw the United States as the land of opportunity and knew it was where he wanted to stay, raise his family, and build a life.

Midway through his career, Darryl became a Vice President of Sales. After retiring in 1998, he started his own investment advisory business, Personal Portfolios, LLC, to help people reach their retirement goals. This business really ended up being his passion, as he loved learning, reading, studying companies, and helping others gain the confidence to learn more about investing.

Darryl was an avid reader with a particular interest in philosophy and history, along with every novel by John Grisham and James Patterson. He loved sports and followed his teams through the decades–from the Toronto Maple Leafs of the 1950s and ’60s and the Boston Bruins of the ’70s and ’80s, to Larry Bird’s Celtics, Tom Brady’s Patriots, and every Red Sox team.

Golf and curling held a special place in Darryl’s life. A member of the Nashua Country Club for over 50 years, he enjoyed both sports throughout the years. He helped establish the Merrimack Valley Curling Club and enthusiastically promoted the sport, taught others to play, and, along with Nancy, helped grow the game.

Darryl believed strongly in education and the power of the mind. He loved a good debate and encouraged others to learn. Some of his favorite sayings were: “Never assume,” “Get off the lawn!!,” “Where is your mind?” and, in his later years, “Life is worth living.”

He was predeceased by his sisters, Joan Kryzanowski and Helen MacDonald, and his brother, Ron Dinsdale.

Darryl is survived by his wife, Nancy Dinsdale; his son, Kevin Dinsdale and his wife, Michelle, of Ashland, MA; his daughter, Brenda Church and her husband, Nathan, of Merrimack, NH; and his grandchildren, Troy Church, Avery Dinsdale, Ryan Church, and Alex Dinsdale. He took great pride in his grandchildren and their education. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews throughout Canada.

Although Darryl did not have the stability and loyalty of a family around him as a young child, he built that for himself in the life he created. He was deeply loyal to his family and longtime friends, including Peter Norris, Jack Bolton, Norm Tetlock, and Shane Randall, with friendships lasting more than 70 years. In the end, the loyalty he gave to his family and friends became an important part of the legacy he leaves behind.

SERVICES: Services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock Street, Nashua, NH. An online guestbook is available through the Davis Funeral Home website or by calling (603) 883-3401.