CONTOOCOOK - J. Howard Lightfoot, 91, longtime resident and retired physician of Contoocook, died peacefully Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at Presidential Oaks in Concord.

Howard was born Sept. 8, 1918, in Fall River, Mass. He attended B.M.C. Durfee High School and graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1941. During World War II, he was a captain in the U.S. Army and served as medical officer in England, Belgium and France.

He married Dorothy Baldwin of Wilton in 1941. After the war, they settled in Contoocook, and he was the town physician from 1946 to 1986. He and Dorothy loved traveling and shared a commitment to Star Island in the Isles of Shoals.

His other interests included stamp collecting, wildflowers, photography and music.

He was predeceased by Dorothy, his wife of 63 years, and two brothers.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Ann Habafy of Portland, Ore., Jean Lightfoot of Contoocook, Jack and Susan Lightfoot of Goffstown, Bob Lightfoot and Sue Walker of Portland, Maine; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 274 Pleasant St., Concord.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Star Island in memory of Howard Lightfoot, at Star Island Corp., Morton-Benedict House, 30 Middle St., Portsmouth 03801.

Bennett Funeral Home in Concord is in charge of the arrangements.