Jack W. Stephenson, 83

Jack W. Stephenson, 83

GILFORD — Jack W. Stephenson, a resident of Gilford since 1975, passed away peacefully on Saturday Feb. 18, 2017.

He was born on Feb. 28, 1933, in Lakewood, New Jersey, to Harold and Myra Stephenson, the third of seven children.

He was predeceased by his two brothers, Paul and George, and his sister Barbara.

He is survived by his sisters Marilyn, Sharon, and Patricia.

Married on June 25, 1955, to Joan Carol Parker of Princeton, New Jersey, he was often heard, especially in later years, to say that it was the best decision of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joan; and by his four children, Laura Jean Holdaway, Beverly Stephenson, Eric Stephenson, and William Stephenson; four grandchildren, Melinda Holdaway Rousselle, Scott Holdaway, Christopher Stephenson, and Jeremy Stephenson; and his great-grandson, Aaron Jacob Rousselle.

With a master's degree in engineering he worked for Hughes Aircraft as an aeronautical engineer in California from when he was first married until the early 1970s when he quit to work full-time on Stephenson's Warmlite, the company he had created producing strong, lightweight, innovative and modern camping equipment.

Using his aeronautical engineering knowledge he had designed ultra-lightweight, aerodynamic hiking gear and was one of the pioneers in the industry of modern backpack equipment production. He moved with his family and many employees in 1975 to Gilford, where he continued to make and sell his innovative equipment from his home on the hill.

He and the family thoroughly enjoyed the four seasons of life in New Hampshire, skiing, hiking, flying his small planes, sailing and generally enjoying nature.

A memorial service is planned for March 25 at 11 a.m. in the Gilford Community Church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Humane Society.