Francis J. Lorden

Francis J. Lorden, 94, resident of Milford, NH, died December 11, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family.� He was born in Mechanicville, New York on December 24, 1913, a son of the late Dennis & Mildred (Schemp) Lorden.� Mr. Lorden was a graduate of Milford High School and had lived in Milford for more than 80 years.� � He was President of Lorden Lumber Company, Milford, NH, the largest wholesale lumber company in New England, which was founded in 1919 by his late father, Dennis F. Lorden.� He and his brothers owned and operated the family business until it closed in the 1980s.� Mr. Lorden was an active member of the community, having served on various town committees and boards and was a former director of the Milford Cooperative Bank.� Over the years, he was a member of many local and national lumber associations.� He was an avid golfer and loved to travel.� For many years, he and his late wife wintered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.� He was deeply devoted to his family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.� Mr. Lorden was a communicant of St. Patricks Church, Milford and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Milford Council #3035.� He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy E. (Woods) Lorden, who died in 2003; a brother, Kenneth Lorden; two sisters, Marion Lorden and Kathleen Halberg.� Family members include his daughter and son-in-law, Jane E. & Robert Provins of Brookline, NH; five grandchildren, Frank Burbee, Maureen Corron, Tom Burbee, Cathy Burbee and Jennifer Treacy; 13 great grandchildren, Frank, Garrett, Holly, Nicholas, Rick, Todd, Brianna, Alex, Luke, Dylan, Sophia, Caitlin and Braden; one great granddaughter, Ashley; a brother, Frederick Lorden of Milford, NH; a sister, Dorothy Lorden of Loudon, NH; many nieces and nephews.��� Calling hours are Monday, December 15th from 3:00-7:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH.� A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 am in St. Patricks Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford.� Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Milford.� Donations in his memory may be made to the Share Program, P.O. Box 27, Milford, NH� 03055.�