George D. Symonds, 75

George D. Symonds, 75

LACONIA — George D. Symonds, 75, passed away April 4, 2017, with his family and faithful dog Chico by his side. He resided at the Belknap County Nursing home in Laconia where he was loved and well cared for during the past 10 years.

He was born on Sept. 26, 1941, in New York City, the son of the late George and Margaret Symonds.

He grew up in Wilton, Connecticut. He had fond childhood memories of spending summers boating on Martha's Vineyard and winters playing hockey on their backyard pond. After graduating he pursued a degree in forestry at the Paul Smith College in upstate New York.

George enjoyed the outdoors and traveling. He worked and lived in different areas of the country. He worked on farms and ranches, cleared ski trails, and started his own landscaping business, etc. He also had a passion for recreational flying, he took flying lessons which brought him to New Hampshire.

George became one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1977. He remained a faithful Christian and was associated with the local Laconia Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He married his loving wife Adele on Aug. 25, 1990, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Orange, Virginia. "The bachelor" Instantly became a wonderful father to seven stepchildren, ages 5 to 20.

George and Adele spent six years in Culpeper, Virginia, then lived in Sheldon, North Dakota, for the next nine years. They then moved back to New Hampshire to be closer to family.

George had a humble, loving and kind personality. He was always joking around, making everyone who knew him smile and laugh. He loved his study of the Bible and sharing its message with others. He also liked to play cards and board games with family and friends, especially Parcheesi.

George is survived by his brother, David Symonds; and sister, Francie Riggs; his wife of 26 years, Adele; stepdaughters, Lorie, Heather, Molly and Ezra; stepsons, Erickjohn, Benjamin, and Eli. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, four granddaughters Shelby, Lorelle, Arianna and Kadence, 13 grandsons, Daniel, Lyam, Tyler, Hunter, Bo, Chance, Levi, Jesse, Dalton, Declan, Gio, Ashton, and Ethan. He will be greatly missed by all. George is also survived by his little dog Chico. Chico made frequent visits to sit with George and was well known and loved by residents and staff at the nursing home.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Robert Symonds.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 10 East Holderness Road, Holderness.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.