Alton, NH

Edward E. Eldridge, Jr., MD

Edward "Ed" E. Eldridge, Jr., MD, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician and friend passed away peacefully, June 21, 2016, surrounded by his wife and best friend, Barbara and his two very loved dogs, Jed and Ted at their home, which he helped designed and oversaw the construction of, "up on the hill" in Alton, NH.

Ed, born in Quincy, MA, was the only child of Rose and Edward Everett Eldridge, Sr.

Attending the College of The Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, Ed obtained a biology degree before receiving his degree as Doctor of Medicine at New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Following graduation, he became a Board Certified Pediatrician.

Following graduation from Medical College, Ed served as Lieutenant Commander, Medical Corps, United States Naval Reserve at the United States Naval Station Dispensary, Keflavik, Iceland.

Ed continued his military career with the NH Army Reserves National Guard as Battalion Surgeon, Major-Medical Corps and as Brigade Surgeon, LTC, Medical Corps until his retirement with honorable discharge.

In Ed's chosen career as a Board Certified Pediatrician as well as a Family Practice provider, he worked over 45 years in a profession he loved until the day he retired. Ed worked on Cape Cod at Bass River Pediatric Association where he designed and oversaw the construction of their private practice medical office building, the University of NH as Staff Physician and Associate Director of Professional Services.

Ed's career path also took him to such places as Maniilaq Health Center, Kotzabue, Alaska where he served as a Staff Physician and Co-Medical Director, the Department of Corrections for the State of NH as a Staff Physician and Pleasant Point Health Center in Perry ME, serving as the Medical Director until retirement. Ed also worked in his spare time at various Native American Reservations in such places as Arizona, Washington and Montana.

Ed loved teaching and was an Adjunct Professor for the University of NH Department of Nursing and Department of Health Administration and Planning. He was also a Clinical Preceptor for Mayo Clinic Medical School, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, State University of NY Medical School and the University of New England for Physician Assistant students.

Ed also enjoyed being a Medical Examiner for the State of Maine.

Ed also had great interest in and was honored to be asked to be the Physician Consultant for the book Get Tough! -The US Special Forces Physical Conditioning Program © 1985 by Tom Fitzgerald--Saint Martin's Press.

Consultation experience was provided by Ed to Northeast Health Care Quality Foundation, Oyster River Co-Operative School District, Passamaquoddy Child Development Center and Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School System. Ed also enjoyed his many summer trips, as a volunteer physician, on Star Island and Mt. Washington Observatory both summer and winter-week long trips.

He served on the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Board of Education, the Bishop of Manchester's Task Force for Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and Athletic Department, coaching Boy's basketball. Ed also served as Team Physician, providing medical care to intercollegiate football and men's basketball team athletes at the University of NH.

Ed's Professional Affiliations were with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, MA, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth, NH and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH.

Ed was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics.

Ed loved camping since he was a very young child, hobbies included photography, hiking, building design work, cooking and food prep with his wife, crossword puzzles as well as his love of travel. He was so proud of the fact that he and Barbara fulfilled his dream of visiting all 50 states in this country he so loved.

Ed was predeceased by his Mother, Rose Eldridge and Father, Edward E. Eldridge, Sr.

Ed is survived by his much loved family: wife Barbara, son Edward and his spouse Diana, grandchildren Shaelyn and Erin, daughter Lisa and spouse Marcel, son Michael, daughter Laura and spouse Kim, daughter Millicent and spouse Nathan, grandchildren Ethan and Aubrie, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Nutter, Sr., many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and his faithful and loving pups, Jed and Ted.

Ed's family wishes to thank the following: Alton Fire/Rescue/EMT staff, Alton, NH, Peaslee Funeral Home, Farmington, NH, Father Robert Cole of St. Katharine Drexel Church, Alton, NH who provided services at Alton Funeral Home on June 25, 2016. Graveside services were provided by Reverend John Newman of Northwood who also provided bag pipe music. Ed would have been so pleased that the Reverend John Newman of Northwood was able to officiate burial services as he also officiated the marriage of Ed and Barbara and bag piped for their marriage ceremony. The United States Army, Armed Forces for providing military burial with honors. Floral arrangements by Lisa's Dragonfly Garden, Alton, NH. Special thanks go to the following pall-bearers: Edward E. Eldridge, III, Nathan Leeper, Marcel Bergeron, Becky Muzeroll, Guy Eaton, Adam Eaton, Travis Corbin and Arthur Nutter, Jr.

Ed was greatly loved by his patients. They loved his funny stories and the length of time he spent with each and everyone of them, never ending the appointment until answering all concerns and aspects of their care.

Ed's lifetime devotion to his patients, discipline to the practice of medicine and exceptional diagnostic skills were apparent to all who knew and worked with him.

Ed's sense of humor and positive outlook on life were always present. He had a full, happy life and enjoyed his family, work, play and friends.

Ed is resting in peace at the Fairview Cemetery, Northwood, NH.

Ed would appreciate closing his obituary with the beautiful poem,
"AFTERGLOW" by Helen Lowrie Marshall:

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one, I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun, of happy memories that I leave behind when life is done.