Middleton, NH

Harold E. Ellingwood age 83, of Middleton, NH died on January 14, 2022 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

Below is a beautiful write-up from his daughter:

My mum brought my brother and I up as equals, there were no male & female roles.  My father was no different. He treated us the same.  He was easy to talk to about anything, there was nothing I couldn't tell my dad.  He always gave thoughtful guidance.  He never hesitated to be there for any of us.

To the Sears mechanic who was talking to my dad about my car:  "If you want to be paid, you should be talking to the car owner."

"Kim, before you learn to drive, you need to know how to change a tire and check the fluids."  He arrived to help when my tire went flat but I had it changed.  He gave me a hug and the shirt my mom gave me to change in to because I was heading to work.

Learning how do drive a standard for the first time, "Pull out on route 1, you have to just do it or you will hesitate."  He was so right and was a wonderful teacher.  He then had me go down route 1A with all the twists and turns.  I was SCARED to death but I did it.  He would not take over.  Then he taught me how to drive in snow, get out of spins, etc. We were in a Shaw's parking lot after a storm.  He kept driving me to/from work when there was a storm until he taught me (That was my mom's worry, not his :).  He supported my independence when I said I could do it on my own.

I was in a car accident at 16.  I was rearended so bad that I had to climb out of my window.  No one could get the door open.  My father grabbed the handle and the door was open.  He was very strong.  Might have also been some concerned father adrenal.

My dad was a very hard worker.  His employer loved him because he never hesitated to take a load.  He was crushed between two trucks and once he was healed, he was right back on the road.  He drove tractor trailer until he was 78.  He retired from the road but decided to get a local job and worked until 82 delivering trees and driving dump trucks.  He was a good driver but aging health got the best of him.  He enjoyed working. He said he was going to work part time after retirement but came home after a 50 hour week Very strong work ethic.  My mom said, "Thought you were going to work part time?"  "I am, I used to work 70 hours."  🤣😂. We are workers 🙂

My dad went bowling with me before Covid hit.  He was 81 and kicked my butt!  We had to use bumpers because I was so bad. ❤️❤️❤️  He never criticized, not once in 37 years.

My dad loved movies and would go with me or me and my friend.  We would go to breakfast, lunch, etc. Everyone knew my dad when we were out.  They really liked him too.  My mom and I joked because he would talk to the neighbors.  We would say, "they are going to think we are nice!"  He could hold a conversation with anyone and usually had them laughing.

My father was a gentle giant.  He would not hesitate to help anyone.  He was wonderful with everyone, especially children and animals.  Everyone felt comfortable around him.

If he borrowed my car, it always came back with topped off fluids.  :)

He never forgot a birthday or anniversary.  Not once.  He would call us at 12:01 AM even if he woke us up.  He always got us something on Valentines even if we decided not to bother with the holiday.  He liked to shop for his own gifts for birthday and Christmas.  The gifts were thoughtful and perfect :)

He NEVER had an unkind word for anyone.

When he bought a card for my mom, he bought her five because he liked them all!  My mom restricted him when they became very expensive.  He was so wonderful to my mother, to all of us.  ❤️

I truly loved my dad, more than I realized.  I wished I hugged him more but I had trust issues.  My dad never pushed and always welcomed a hug..  He came into my life as a teen and was my dad from day one, even though I challenged him from day one.  I just called him Dad one day after a few years and I apologized and he said, "Its okay, I am happy you feel comfortable calling me Dad because you are my daughter." ❤️❤️❤️  He loved unconditionally and NEVER judged.  He proudly brought us to his family reunion where the elders said, "Family is family"

I miss you Dad.  Thank you for loving us unconditionally. ❤️

Hal was a member of the Rochester Elks Lodge

Besides his family he leaves in New Hampshire, he also leaves: daughter LaWanda Noack, son Harold Ellingwood, and daughter JoElla Ellingwood, and 6 grandchildren that live in Pennsylvania.

There are no services planned at this time. To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com