Gerald A. Atwood, 87

GILFORD — Gerald Alan Atwood, known as Alan, passed away peacefully at the St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on March 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. His loving family was by his side.

Alan was born on Sept. 1, 1937, in North Sandwich, the son of Gerald W. and Virginia (Moody) Atwood. He lived and worked in North Sandwich and Ossipee, where he enjoyed living in a beautiful small community with family members and lifelong friends. Alan is one of the few who attended grade school in a one-room school house in North Sandwich, and then the Quimby School in Center Sandwich. After 10th grade, Alan made the difficult decision to leave school so that he could go to work and help his family.

In 1963, he moved to Laconia, where he accepted an auto body repair technician job at Irwin Motors. Alan felt very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to attend numerous educational programs through Irwin’s, which eventually led to a career as service manager, a position he held for 38 years.

Alan built his own home with the help from friends on Marsh Hill, Belmont, completing it in 1964. He showed pride in everything he did around his home, but his golf course caliber lawn was his pride and joy for so many years. And every summer Alan would receive a delivery of six cords of firewood that he would stack and dry before winter. There was never a stick of wood out of place. Many friends would stop by his house just to admire his job well done.

Alan met the love of his life, Mary Killourhy, in 1974. They married on May 8, 1976, and were blessed with many years of happiness. Friends and family were so important to Alan.

In 1980, he was encouraged to attend classes at the Laconia Academy where he received his high school diploma. Alan attended classes three nights a week where he took three classes each semester for three years, all while working full time. He was honored with his diploma on June 10, 1983, thanks to Margaret "Peggy" Selig.

Motorcycles and snowmobiles were very much a part of Alan’s life. He enjoyed spending summer days riding his motorcycle with friends. His license plate was "Cat," as Alley Cat was his nickname. In the winters you could find him snowmobiling and ice racing in Central New Hampshire.

The ocean held a special place in Alan’s heart. He spent a week every summer in Wells Beach, Maine, and then headed to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, for a winter getaway for 28 years. Holiday Cove South was where he and Mary met so many friends that continued to be a part of their lives for many years. Cruises to Bermuda, Hawaii and the Bahamas were some favorite vacations as well as a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train through the Canadian Rockies.

Until his final day, Alan enjoyed talking about all of his customers and special friends he made while working as a service manager at Irwin Motors when he retired in 2000. Retirement only lasted a short time, and he soon accepted a job at Napa Auto Parts where he delivered parts to many friends. He collected antique toy trucks, attended NASCAR races and never missed a race in 21 years at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and in Daytona, Florida. Alan was a lifelong New York Yankees fan, and always enjoyed a good barbecue by his pool with family and friends throughout the summer.

Alan is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Mary; daughters Kimberly J. Bryant and husband Jerre and Kelly J. Atwood; son Steven Killourhy Atwood and partner Debbie; grandchildren Eric, Shayna and Stefani; as well as three great-grandsons, Anthony, David and Roman. Other family members include nephew Richard Atwood and wife Darlene, nephew Danial Foley, niece Katherine Pierson and husband Jeff.

Alan was predeceased by his parents, sister Patricia A. Evans, brother Hubert L. Atwood, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Frank "Butch" and Joyce K. Foley, and in-laws Joseph and Louise Killourhy.

The Atwood family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at the St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for all of the loving care given to Alan during his residency.

Alan was a communicant of St. Andre Bessette Parish. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date, to be held in the summer of 2025.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Gerald Alan Atwood’s name to either the Lakes Region Santa Fund, P.O. Box 7454, Laconia, NH 03247, or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 13559 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.