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MOULTONBOROUGH – Russell A. Lamprey, 81, of 34 Clark’s Landing Road died at his home on June 30, 2006 following a two-year battle with bone cancer. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 6, 1924 the son of Arthur Henry Lamprey and Alfreda Peters.
After graduating from high school he enlisted n the U.S. Navy shortly before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sparking World War II. He served aboard the heavy cruisers, the U.S.S. Boston, the U.S.S. San Francisco and the light cruiser, U.S.S. Atlanta. During the Korean War he served on the destroyer U.S.S. Hawkins. During the Second World War he saw action at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and was in the Battle of Coral Sea. He was one of the few sailors to survive the sinking of the U.S.S. Atlanta at Guadalcanal and was pulled from the Pacific by U.S. Marines and taken to shore. He remained at Guadalcanal for a month and a half, contracting malaria.
While serving aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco he was blown out of a gun turret and was one of only eight sailors to survive. On his 21st birthday as U.S. warships were gathering to press on to mainland Japan, the first Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. “It was best birthday gift I ever got. They dropped
the bomb that day and we got to turn around and sail home,” Lamprey often said.
Following the Korean War, Lamprey returned to Moultonborough and resumed working as a plumber with his father. He also started White Mountain Propane, a bottled gas business with Ernie Gray, and established a septic hauling service. He was one of the first septic haulers in the state. As his septic hauling service expanded, he sold the propane company to Harry Wallace of Meredith. He went on to engineer and build a septic lagoon system that operated in Moultonborough for 45 years. His namesake son, Russell Scott Lamprey continues the business today.
He was married to Patricia Helen (Quick) for 56 years. She died of breast cancer on May 1, 2002. After inheriting a circa 1777 cape-style home from his Aunt Evelyn Farina, Russell and Pat spent years restoring it and enjoyed entertaining family and friends there. Lamprey was known for his love of anything mechanical and his skill for making repairs. He was fond of traveling, and often spoke of the sights he had enjoyed as young a sailor visiting Istanbul. Later in life he retained his love of adventure and frequently took trips to New Orleans. He was also an avid coin collector, enjoyed frequenting auctions and was especially fond of his beloved Golden Retriever, Casey.
Lamprey is survived by a son, Russell Scott Lamprey, his daughter-in-law Robin, and a grandson, Russell James Lamprey, all of Moultonborough; a daughter, Evelyn Susan Lamprey and son-in-law Geoffrey Devine of Portsmouth and a sister, Lita Lamprey Caggiano of Knoll Point, Moultonborough.. He was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Lamprey Parry of York, Maine.
The Lamprey family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors who assisted Russell during his illness. Friends and relatives are invited to gather at the Lamprey home at 34 Clark’s Landing on Friday, July 7 at noon to share their memories and stories about Russell. Contributions in Russell’s memory may be made to the Moultonborough Visiting Nurse Service. P.O Box 138, Moultonborough, N.H. 03254.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.
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