Man beaten to death was much-beloved volunteer firefighter, and a whiz mechanic

Scene of last Friday's tragedy at Somersworth Walmart parking lot. Inset, left, Jan VanTassel, right Brian Roberge. (CBS Boston screenshot; VanTassel photo courtesy; Roberge Police mugshot)

CENTER OSSIPEE - While the public knows little about what transpired in the moments leading up to the savage beating death of an elderly Center Ossipee man a week ago in the Somersworth Walmart parking lot, we are learning more about the victim and his lifetime of service for the community he cared about so much.
Jan Whittemore VanTassel was well-known in the Center Ossipee community for his 40-plus years of service as a captain of the Center Ossipee Volunteer Fire Department, according to his obituary published Tuesday in the Conway Daily Sun.
A certified Detroit Diesel mechanic, he was a longtime mechanic for Rines Garage in West Ossipee, where he became well-known as something of a mechanical MacGyver who could fix just about anything.
As a longtime volunteer firefighter VanTassel, 79, was active in fund-raising for the department he cared for so much and never missed a firemen's dinner. According to his obit, he especially enjoyed calling out the bingo numbers at Westwood Shore.
Upon retiring from the department, he was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Center Ossipee Fire Department, however, retirement couldn't keep him away and he remained a regular fixture volunteering to help repair equipment and just dropping in for regular visits, according to his obituary.
Police say VanTassel died last Friday night when he was attacked in the Walmart parking lot by Brian Roberge, 52, of Somersworth.
Police got involved around 11:20 p.m. responding to a report of one man assaulting another. Upon arriving, officers found VanTassel unresponsive with visible head and facial injuries. First responders determined he was dead at the scene.
An autopsy revealed he died of compressional asphyxia, a crushed chest, which investigators say is consistent with eyewitness accounts that Roberge was straddling VanTassel's chest for several minutes while hitting him in the head and face, according to a statement sent out on Sunday by the Attorney Generals Office.
The affidavit filed in the case has been sealed and likely won't be released pending an indictment.
VanTassel leaves behind four children, 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held at the Lord Funeral Home 50 Moultonville Road in Center Ossipee on Friday, July 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 29, at 11 a.m. at the Woodland Cemetery at 148 Hobbs Road in Effingham.