Dale Somerville

Dale Ward Somerville, 88, died Friday November 3, 2017 at his home in Victory following a short illness.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marlene Somerville; his son David Somerville and his wife Kathy Chiasson; his daughter Jennie Keefer and her husband Ed. He is also survived by five step children: Ellen Raemsch, Anne Foley, Brian Foley, Karen Foley and Janet Jentilet.   Dale leaves behind five grandchildren: Jessica Bristol, Justin Woodruff, Caitlin Blair, Madison Foley, Sierra Foley, and five great-grandchildren. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews and close friends.  Dale was predeceased by his first wife Greta Rockwood Somerville and his first grandchild Daniel Somerville.

Dale was born on May 23, 1929 in Hanover, NH. He was the son of Frank and Florence Ward Somerville. He was the oldest of the four Somerville children, Donna Hoyt, Sherman Somerville and Jack Somerville, all of whom passed away in recent years.  He spent his early years on a dairy farm in Norwich, VT which had been in his family since 1900. Dale was a graduate of Hanover High School and served in the Korean War. After driving oil tankers from Boston, Dale settled down on Brookmead Farm in Norwich where he continued trucking part-time and had a very successful farming career.  He and Greta were named the 1979 Farm Family of the Year by the Vermont Farm Bureau.

Dale sold the farm in 1996 and moved to Victory in the Northeast Kingdom, where he continued his love of trucking. He was a Vermonter through-and-through, and each summer you could find him at the local fairs doing tractor pulls with his old Oliver tractor. Each winter he waited for the snow to fall so he could head out on his snowmobile. Dale always had a kind word and a helping hand for those around him. He lived a life of integrity that will long be admired by all who knew him.

Per Dale’s request there will not be a funeral service. A memorial service will be planned for the Spring of 2018.

Those wishing to may make a donation in his memory to the Upper Valley Land Trust (19 Buck Road, Hanover, NH 03755) to help preserve the Somerville Farm on Turnpike Road in Norwich.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com