Gordon Leonard Covill, 92, of Main Street in Pittsburg, NH, passed away at his home on Sunday, September 16, 2018, with his loving family gathered by his side. Gordon Covill was a strong, honest, hardworking man of faith. Gordon was born August 17, 1926, at home at Happy Corner in Pittsburg, NH, to Forrest A. and Hilda A. (Dearth) Covell.
He was one of ten children. He attended grade school at Happy Corner and high school at Pittsburg High School in the village. He went to work for the State of NH bridge crew as a time keeper.
From 1944 to 1946, Gordon served in the Army. He went to cooking school, became first cook and later baker. He was offered the mess sergeant job but said no.
During the summers of 1946 and 1947, he worked clearing the US Canadian Boundary. Gordon began working part time for St. Regis Paper Company, which later became Champion International, as a forestry scaler in 1948. On May 11, 1951, he started working full time with a guarantee of 1 year of work.
On April 1, 1992, Gordon retired from Champion, 1 month and 11 days short of 41 years of service. He enjoyed his work and meeting so many good workers. On May 25, 1957, Gordon married Norma E. Lynch.
They bought their home on Main Street where they have lived and raised their children, and enjoyed grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the last 61 years. Gordon was very active in his community. He was a member of the Pittsburg Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years.
He was also a member and a lifetime director of the NH Guides Association. Gordon performed in many guide shows over the years: in Pittsburg and at Echo Lake with his brothers, in Amsterdam, NY with Alfred Brown, in Boston, MA, and Portland, ME. He especially excelled in kettle boiling, log rolling and canoe handling.
He served as a guide for hunting parties from the time he was 18 years old until he was 60. Gordon was a member of the Farnham Memorial United Methodist Church serving as lay minister and trustee. He was an avid vegetable gardener and supervised the harvest of this year’s potatoes less than two weeks ago.
He put up his firewood every year and was sawing wood just two weeks before his death. He belonged to local bowling and softball leagues for many years. He could also throw a mean horseshoe!
He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, his children, and many others. He could be found playing cribbage with his brothers and berry picking with various family members. Gordon loved the outdoors and God’s wonderful creation.
In Gordon’s words, he was “so thankful for family and get togethers, especially [my] wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. [I] feel very blessed”. Gordon is survived by his loving wife of 61 years: Norma Covill of Pittsburg, NH; their 5 children: Roger Gordon Covill and wife, Debbie, of Gorham, NH, Julieann Hilda Gagnon and husband, Richard, of Manchester, NH, Cindy Lynn Madore and husband, Daniel, of Canaan, VT, Robin Lee Fosher of Eliot, ME, and Lafe Stephen Covill of Portsmouth, NH; 3 brothers: Robert Covill and wife, Margaret, Lesley Covell and wife, Ruth, and Gary Covell, all of Pittsburg; 2 sisters: Geneva Shallow (who followed him, passing Monday morning September 17th) and Linda Covill of Pittsburg; 3 sisters-in-law: Katherine Covill, Roberta Covill, and Betty Covell; 11 grandchildren: Mandi (Covill) Miller and husband, Matt, Danielle (Covill) Reichert and husband, Tobey, Zacharie Covill and wife, Dencie, Justine, Alexandra, Courtney, and Mallorie Madore, Joshua Fosher and wife, Lani, Natalie (Fosher) MacNeill and husband, Terrance, Lyndsey Fosher, and Garrett Fosher; 7 great-grandchildren: Carsen, Hannah, Molly and Noah Miller, Camden Reichert, Kai Fosher, and Rin Nunez; and many members of the Lynch family, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was predeceased by 3 brothers: Bernard Covill, Lindsey Covill, and Edwin Covell; a sister: Joanne Foote; a brother-in-law: Jim Shallow; and a sister-in-law: Hilda Covell. A Funeral Service officiated by Rev. Eric Feustel will be held Sunday, September 23, 2018, 1:00 pm at the Farnham Memorial United Methodist Church, 1613 Main Street in Pittsburg, NH.
Burial will immediately follow at the Hollow Cemetery on Hill Road in Pittsburg. Everyone is invited to a reception following at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon’s name can be made to Farnham Memorial United Methodist Churh, 1613 Main Street, Pittsburg, NH 03592.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www. saylesfh.com.
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