David F. Hale

1928 – 2015

CONCORD, N.H. — David Fairbairn Hale, 87, of Concord, N.H., died Wednesday, Sept. 30, after a brief illness.

He was born on March 11, 1928, in Lisbon Falls, a son of the late Elliot K. Hale and Geraldine (Rideout) Hale. He attended Lisbon Falls schools and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1946. He studied general engineering at the University of Maine in Orono and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. David married Laura Rita Siletti of Lisbon on June 12, 1954. They lived in Lisbon Falls until 2008, when they moved to Havenwood-Heritage Heights in Concord, N.H.

After college, David worked at Bath Iron Works for three years as a mechanical engineer and then for 30 years with the New England Insurance Rating Association (which became part of Insurance Services Office) as state manager. He left that position in 1983 to become the property casualty supervisor at the Maine Bureau of Insurance and retired in 1989.

A registered professional engineer specializing in fire protection, he served the Lisbon Fire Service for over 60 years as firefighter, fire warden, officer and photographer. He also taught the first course in the Fire Protection Program at the Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, where he served on the Fire Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, as well as the Maine State Federation and Androscoggin County firefighters organizations. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Ancient York Lodge, AF & AM, Maine Association of Engineers, Maine Insurance Fieldmen’s Association, Androscoggin and Lisbon historical societies, Maine Water Utilities Association, Chamberlain Chapter of the Civil War Round Table and the Lisbon Lobster Club No. 1, where he served as chef.

As an 80-year resident of Lisbon Falls, he was active in local government and town affairs, serving on the Lisbon Advisory Board and the Town Ordinance and Charter committees, as well as 33 years on the Lisbon Water Commission. He was involved in youth sports, stepping up as one of the founders of the Lisbon Junior Athletic League, where he was instrumental in establishing the girls’ softball program. Before leaving Lisbon Falls in 2008, he helped manage the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach Food Pantry and Clothing Bank.

Following his move to Concord, N.H., he became an active member of the Havenwood-Heritage Heights Retirement Community, including serving on the Energy Committee, working in the library and enjoying the men’s chat group. He enjoyed his public service, sharing a good meal with family and friends, a good book, local and Civil War history, gardening, spending time with his grandchildren, and summer days at the family camp in Rangeley.

David is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Hale and Richard Uchida of Bow, N.H.; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Cynthia Hale of Hartland, Vt.; his daughter and son-in-law, Maggie Hale and Stephen Chapman of Arlington, Mass.; a sister-in-law. Jan Hale of Bethel; his brother-in-law, Charles Siletti and his wife, Arlene, of Owls Head; his grandchildren, Derrick and Julia Uchida, and Cal and Silvia Hale; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Laura; and his brothers, Richard A. Hale and Elliot (Bud) K. Hale Jr., all of whom passed away earlier this year.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Havenwood Health Services Center and the hospice team from the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association for their thoughtful and loving care.