Carl Lawrence Gardner
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Gilford, NH -- Carl Lawrence Gardner, 82, of 41 Potter Hill Road, a former manufacturing manager and retired town employee of Gilford, NH, died peacefully at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 surrounded by his family.

Mr. Gardner was born Aug. 4, 1926 in Cambridge, Mass., one of a family of 11 children, the son of Stanley M. and Lettie (Rodenhizer) Gardner. He resided in Cambridge and Belmont, Mass. for many years before moving to Gilford Village in 1985.

Mr. Gardner served in the Pacific Theater in the U. S. Navy in World War II, and took part in the Battle of Okinawa. He was employed at the National Casket Co. in East Cambridge, Mass. for 30 years, and was later employed by the Town of Gilford until his retirement in 1991.

He was a member and former Sexton of the Gilford Community Church, a former member of the Belmont Lodge of Masons (Belmont, Mass.), and a current member of the Bektash Shrine and Mt. Lebanon Lodge #32 F & A M and Valley of Concord.

Mr. Gardner is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marian (Butt) Gardner of Gilford; two daughters, Teran L. Sacco and Nancy E. Dirubbo and her husband, James, all of Laconia; a son, Dana L. Gardner, and his wife, Sherry, of Gilford. He was “Pa” to Jenny, Terri Lee, Alby, Brian, Buck and Claire. He was great grandfather to Megan, Caitlyn, Zackary and Benjamin. He is survived by two sisters, Eleanor Cleary of Wilmington, Mass. and Marion Lewis of New Hampshire, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by five brothers, Earl, Stanley, Reginald, William and Francis, and by three sisters Ruth, Marjorie and Barbara.

He loved woodworking and made many unique pieces of furniture.  In 1955 he purchased land on Sawyer Lake in Gilmanton and built a lakefront camp that has been enjoyed by friends and family ever since. An accomplished YMCA aquatic swimmer, he taught his children and grandchildren to swim, fish, play card games, and was a great storyteller. He and his wife were enthusiastic ballroom dancers. In retirement he enjoyed several ocean cruises and travel adventures, and in recent years he enjoyed socializing with his many friends at Gilford Village Knolls II.

There will be no public calling hours.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, Dec. 8 at 11:30AM at the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford. The Rev. Michael Graham, Pastor of the Church, will officiate.

Burial will be in the family lot in Pine Grove Cemetery, Gilford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston Burn Unit, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 www.shrinerhq.org or the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home, Continuing Education Fund for Nurses, 139 Winter Street, Tilton, NH 03276.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.