Obit: Vernon Harry Tuttle ... enjoyed Sunday drives

ROCHESTER - Vernon Harry Tuttle, 89, of Gooseberry Circle, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2013, at the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, N.H. 

Vernon was born on Feb. 4, 1924 in Dover, N.H., a son of Harry and Nancy (Rowe) Tuttle. 

Vernon married Marie E. Dumont in 1986. Vernon worked as an inspector for GE in Somersworth for 32 years before retiring in 1985. He was a guitar player and enjoyed playing with the band "Country Swingers" at various area rest homes, hospitals, nursing homes and, elderly centers. He played golf regularly, but most of all he loved to take his Sunday drives, sightseeing in his Lincoln Town Car. Vernon was affectionately known as "The Candy Man", always bringing candy to the receptionists at the banks, waitresses, etc. ... 

Vernon is survived by his wife, Marie E. (Dumont) Tuttle of Rochester; daughter, Laura Bastianelli and husband, Mike; brother, William H. Gowen of Dover; four grandchildren, Christopher, Kimberly, Melissa and Emily; 5 great grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren, Sandra Clough, Tracy Bowler, Todd Bowler and Robin Bowler; six step-grandchildren, Brandon, Nicole, Desiree, Justin, Delilah and Ricky; and step-great grandchildren; a very special niece Kathleen OtashWyrick and her husband Robert of Hampton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Harlan W. Tuttle, March of 2013; his ex-wife, Ruth L. (Yeaton) Tuttle in Nov. 2011; his siblings, Burton Tuttle, Roland Tuttle, Irene Hoytt, Iva Towle and Thelma Kelly. 

Memorial donations may be made in Vernon's name to Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, N.H., 03820. 

A private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover, N.H. To sign our online guest book, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.