John Early

John Early, 69, of Manchester, NH died December 1, 2005 at the Elliot Hospital after a two-year battle with lung cancer.

He was born in Galway, Ireland, on February 2, 1936, the son of John and Kathleen (O'Maley) Early. He was educated in the County of Galway school system. Mr. Early immigrated to this country 51 years ago.

After becoming a US citizen, he was employed by Chicopee Mills and the Van Normand Industry. He became a first-class firefighter with the Manchester Fire Department on December 24, 1962. He retired in April of 1986 after 24 years of dedicated service. He then worked as a custodian for the Visiting Nurses Association and Mt. St. Mary Academy.

Mr. Early was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener who loved flowers. He held membership in the Space Town Beagle Club and the Queen City Beagle Club. He was known for his Irish bread.

He was a long time communicant of St. Raphael Church.

Members of his family include his wife of 45 years, Patricia (Carroll) Early of Manchester; three daughters, Elizabeth Early Loos of The Netherlands, Eileen Early Chaisson of Florida, and Maureen Early of Colorado; two sons, John H. Early of Manchester and Stephen Early of Oregon; five grandchildren; five brothers, Michael Early of England, Martin Early, Tony Early, Tom Lions, and Patric Shannon, all of Ireland; five sisters, Mary T. Murphy of Manchester, Anne Pouliot of Hampton, NH, Kathleen Early of Ireland, Eileen Lloyd of England, and Una Early DeMoor of The Netherlands; many nephews, nieces, and cousins; he was predeceased by a brother, D. Patric Early.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Raphael Church on Monday December 5, 2005. Burial followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manchester Fire Department Scholarship Fund, 100 Merrimack St., Manchester, NH 03101.