Notable New Hampshire Deaths: Cliff Blake, The Voice Of Channel 11

By InDepth NH

InDepthNH.org scans the websites of New Hampshire funeral homes each week and selects at random some of our friends, relatives and neighbors to feature in this column. The people listed here passed away during the previous weeks and have some public or charitable connection to their community. InDepthNH.org is now offering obituaries through the Legacy.com service. We view this as part of our public service mission. Click here or on the Obituaries tab at the top of our home page to learn more. And if you know of someone from New Hampshire who should be featured in this column, please send your suggestions to NancyWestNews@gmail.com.

Kenneth A. Bassett, 89, of Sandown, died March 19, 2026. He served on the Sandown Police Department and the Sandown Volunteer Fire Department. He was a deputy forest fire warden, a charter member of the Sandown Lions Club, and a Little League coach. (Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium)

Cliff Blake, 73, of Dover, died March 16, 2026. He was the voice of New Hampshire PBS since 1991. He was the voice viewers heard when he’d remind them: “You’re watching viewer-supported Channel 11,” or “Welcome to the NHPTV Spring Auction, or “Tonight at nine on New Hampshire PBS.” He started as a camera operator while still a student at UNH in 1971 when Channel 11 broadcast from the basement of the Memorial Union Building. He worked as an audio booth announcer and at the auction until 1976. He was program director at local radio stations, including WFTQ in Worcester and WAAF, WROR, and WZLX in Boston. He was operations manager and program director at WOKQ in Dover. He continued to volunteer at Channel 11 as a volunteer. He was also a record executive for Warner Bros. and Sony Music and retired in 2019, then joined New Hampshire PBS as fundraising and special events manager, retiring from that position in 2021. He was a Dover Library trustee and member of the Dover Arts Commission and the Dover Doers.

Walter E. Brown, 90, of Sanbornville, died March 23, 2026. In 1971, he founded Walter E. Brown Builder, later W.E. Brown & Sons, and spent more than two decades building homes, additions, and projects alongside his sons. He was a master plumber and electrician, and his career spanned 74 years. He worked until age 88. He was a founding member of the local chapter of Little League baseball and coached and served as an umpire in that league for 17 years. He also served more than 15 years with the Lions Club—including two terms as president. He was school board chairman for six years. (Peaslee Funeral Home)

Deborah J. Croteau, 85, of Keene, died March 19, 2026. She worked as a drug and alcohol counselor at the former Spofford Hall and later with Beech Hill Rehabilitation Center in Dublin. She was a volunteer with Aids Services of the Monadnock Region, and in 2001 was awarded the Keene State College President’s Outstanding Women of N.H. award. She was a founder and board member of St. James Episcopal Church’s thrift store and served as a member of the vestry. (DiLuzio Foley And Fletcher Funeral Homes)

Vera Louise Welchans Hazen, 89,of Warner, died March 22, 2026. She taught at Kearsarge Middle School and Simonds Elementary School, and in her retirement, tutored students for the GED and worked at the Pillsbury Free Library. She was a dedicated 4-H leader for more than 50 years. She served on the vestry of St. Andrew’s Church in Hopkinton and Grace Church in East Concord. She also volunteered at The Friendly Kitchen in Concord. (Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service)

Dr. William LaFontaine, 80 of Campton, died March 24, 2026. He was a dentist for 40 years as well as an avid mountain-climber, fly fisherman, logger, and gardener. (Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services)

Theodore H. Moe Jr., 91, of Keene, died March 20, 2026. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he was postmaster in Swanzey, retiring in 1997 after 30 years. He was a Swanzey selectman. (Cheshire Family Funeral Home)

Mary Margaret Morehouse Rogers, 64, of Hillsborough, died March 18, 2026. She was a member and three-term president of the Hillsborough Lions Club and was involved with Hillsborough’s Operation Christmas, portraying Santa or Mrs. Claus during pick-up day. She played many roles at the Lake Winnipesaukee Playhouse. She was a Realtor for Verani Realty in the Concord office. (Peabody Funeral Home)

Roger "Pete" Villeneuve, 88, of Errol, died March 22, 2026. A U.S. Army veteran, he was hired as a firefighter for the city of Berlin in 1970. He retired in 1998 as captain of his shift. He moved to Errol after his retirement and took a part-time job at the Umbagog State Park. (Bryant Funeral Home)

Etta May Wheeler, 88, of Laconia, died March 25, 2026. She was employed by Lakes Region Community Services Council, culminating as director of quality assurance, retiring in 1999. She served the Cub Scouts of America as den mother and as Den Mother Training Program chairperson. She also served on the Daniel Webster Council and received the Pemi Award for her volunteer work. (Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home)

Joan F. Willey, 90, of Newport, died March 19, 2026. She taught elementary school for 32 years, and after retiring from the Newport School system, volunteered at the Newport Senior Center, first as vice president and then as president for 23 years. In 1982, she became a Mary Kay consultant and was one of the women who earned a pink Cadillac. In 1995 she was named Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women. In 1999 she won the Joseph D. Vaughan Award for Sullivan County for outstanding leadership or demonstrated meritorious achievement as a volunteer on behalf of older citizens. In 2002 she was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce with the Distinguished Citizen Award. (Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home)

WORDS OF WISDOM: “The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, to the fullest. Do what matters, now.” - Leo Babauta, 50, creator of “Zen Habits”

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.