Northfield, NH – John Finley Fife, Sr., 82 of Northfield, New Hampshire passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on September 18, 2025, due to failing health.
John was born on September 9, 1943, in Concord New Hampshire, the son of the late Leon R. Fife Sr., and Helen M. (Finley) Fife. He was raised in Canterbury with his three other siblings. Leon, Jr., Helen and youngest brother George.
John eventually met the love of his life June (Cross) and were married May of 1976. They settled down in Northfield and made that their home.
Besides working the family farm in Canterbury, John worked in the lumber industry. He started with Concord Lumber in his early days and eventually worked for the Town of Canterbury for 32 years. He was also part of the voluntary Canterbury Fire Department as an EMT, Canterbury Police Department, he also worked for Park Street cemetery and finally retired at Colby Lumber.
John was well known through the community with his love of horse pulling, ox pulling and of course in his younger days stock car racing at the Bryar Motorsports Park in Loudon.
If you ever needed a helping hand, you could find him in Canterbury at the farm riding his John Deere tractor or assisting a family member or friend.
He was a fun-loving man that was sharp-witted and would come up with a nick name for friends and family alike. (Scrooge, Lollipop, Porkchop, Sidewalk Kid, Kaka, Emmz, Festa, Cricket, Squirrel etc.) He enjoyed watching old western movies, fishing, working on John Deere tractors, stopping by Tilton House of Pizza and spending time with family.
He is preceded by his parents, Leon R. Fife Sr., Helen M. (Finley) Fife along with two brothers, Leon R. Fife Jr. and George P. Fife and recently, son Kevin L.A. Fife. John is survived by his loving wife June of forty-nine years and sister Helen M. Fife of Canterbury.
He is also survived by eight children. Donna M. Whiton (Thomas) of Hillsborough, Laurie A. Perkins partner Michael of Penacook, John F. Fife Jr. (Rose) of Salisbury, Lisa A. Fowler of Laconia, Melissa J. Weatherbee (Lee), Judy J. Smith (Allan) of Boscawen, William W. Fife (Heather) and H. Peter Fife (Whitney) of Franklin. He leaves behind seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well numerous cousins.
A short service will be held October 25, 2025, at 11am at Maple Grove Cemetery in Canterbury, New Hampshire. Please join us for a gathering in Remembrance of John’s life at the Canterbury Parrish House after the service.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Granite VNA and Hospice in John’s name.
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