By james art
HAMPTON, New Hampshire — Alan Irving Marston, MD, passed away on March 28, 2024 in Hampton, New Hampshire at the age of 91 with loved ones by his side. Widely respected for his veterinary skills, intelligence and taciturn wit, he is remembered as a true gentleman with sparkling blue eyes, unfailing courtesy and bushy white hair.
It is impossible to capture the vibrancy, intellectual curiosity, sense of fun, compassion and love for family, the world and the ways he touched everyone he met in a meaningful way. Here’s a humble summary in hopes of triggering your own fond memories.
Alan was devoted to Helen Jane Leroux – his wife of almost 65 years – and the family they raised together. He loved Helen’s sense of humor, her independent spirit, and her intelligence. Alan was incredibly proud of Helen for her academic achievements and all she did for their two children – Claudie and Alan Leroux (Little Alan).
As children, Cloudy and Little Alan spent endless hours enjoying the fruits of their father’s labor of love: climbing around the tree house, digging in the sandbox, swimming in the pool, sleeping in the shack he built out back, riding the tug of war he created (with a manure spreader engine and his amazing rope splicing skills) back up the hill. Alan took the family and kids on adventures, hiking, skiing, creek skating, boating and fishing all over Vermont and New England. After school most days, he would take one or both of the Calling children with him, visiting dairy farms throughout Addison County. He taught them how to grow vegetables, birds, dogs and have fun while being responsible and honest.
During more than 40 years as a cattle rancher, Alan built his love of the outdoors and nature into every day. His Chrysler Sedan was often seen parked on a dirt road next to a quiet stream. Doc was probably foraging for fiddlers, scouting the local Brookies, or tracking a bird on the wing. It has put on 50,000 miles a year and driven many people over the years. He had no judgment and listened quietly to whatever happened that day.
Alan was a good shooter and enjoyed years of skeet and paper target shooting as well as the occasional wooden mallet. He took the family to many skeet races around New England and New York. He and Helen traveled with other members of the VT Skeet Shooters Association to World Shoots in Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York and Canada. He enjoyed fishing and fished the Atlantic Ocean, the rivers of Eastern Canada and Iceland, as well as the lakes, rivers and streams throughout New England.
Ready for a change of scenery in the late 1980s Alan and Helen auctioned off the contents of the red brick house on Pulp Mill Bridge Road, sold Alan’s veterinary practice and joined the Peace Corps. In Morocco, Alan and his driver/translator/vet tech intern drove for hours to treat donkeys and goats deep in the country. When they had free time, Alan and Helen traveled around Morocco and explored Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar.
After the Peace Corps, Alan and Helen settled on the mid-coast of Maine in Tenants Harbor. Allen continued to practice veterinary medicine for many years, traveling to Vermont and various parts of Maine to fill in for other vets recovering from surgery or taking time off. While at home, Alan spent many hours tending to his extensive vegetable and flower gardens and wood piles. He cut and split seven cord-long logs by hand each year from 1978 until 1987, when he finally broke down and bought a gas-powered log splitter. He continued to cut, split and stack tree-length logs until he was 87 years old. Alan enjoyed seafood, chess, opera, classical music, red rose tea, cooking, learning, birds and astronomy.
Alan passed on his love of hiking, skiing, skating, teaching, nature and travel to Claudie. Together they climbed many peaks in New England, skied, hiked, wet-lined, laughed, dug clams and shot targets.
Alan loved his entire family very much. He is survived by his wife, Helen; a daughter, Claudie and her husband, Greg; granddaughter Aidan and partner ET; sisters Barbara and Cynthia; sister-in-law Lou; son-in-law Bruce; and many nieces and nephews – some of whom are named Alan.
Allen was predeceased by his beloved son, Allen Leroux Marston; his brother David; brothers-in-law Hockey and Rod; and sister, Norma; as well as many dogs – especially Boston terriers Sam, Stanley and Dennis.
We are grateful for the kind, loving care Alan received from all the staff at Partridge House and Compassus Hospice.
Alan chose not to have a service or memorial service. Instead, please enjoy a cup of tea, a very dry martini or a large glass of red wine in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in his memory to one of the following: St. George Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association, PO Box 249 Tenants Harbor, Maine 04860; Neighbor to Neighbor, PO Box 172 Tenants Harbor Maine 04860; or St. George Community Development Corporation, PO Box 160, Tenants Harbor Maine 04860.
Arrangements by www.kentandpelczarfh.com/obituary/alan-marston.