Donald F. “Laughing Owl” Newell

LACONIA, NH -- Donald F. “Laughing Owl” Newell, 86, of 9 Durrell Mt. Rd, died on Dec. 5, 2012 at the Lakes Region General Hospital.

Mr. Newell was born July 10, 1926 in Dixfield, the son of Celand T. and Arlene (Boivin) Newell. He had lived in the Lakes Region since 1964 and had been employed at J.J. Nissen for 39 years.

Mr. Newell served in the Merchant Marines during WWII, sailing to England seven times, France, Belgium, Egypt, Suez Canal to Iran, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Cancun, Venezuela and Japan. He was a member of the American Legion, Wilkins-Smith Post No. 1 of Laconia and was a member (#02284) of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Old Town.

Mr. Newell was a founding member and Elder of the NH Intertribal Native American Council and was a 50-plus year member and Ordained Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Survivors include two sons, Peter Newell of Belmont, NH and Michael Newell and his wife, Chris, of Belmont; a daughter, Susan Newell Montmagny of Lebanon, NH; 10 grandchildren, Julie Newell Guarente and her husband, Dan, Jolene Newell Price and her husband, David, Meredith Newell, Wesley Newell and his wife, Hope, Elizabeth Montmagny, Ben Montmagny, Josh Gentes, Kate Gentes, Jay Harris and his wife, Erin, and Jake Long; four great-grandchildren, Nicholas Guarente, Kyle Price, Jordanna Price and Emily Louise Newell; a brother, Homer Newell, of Rumford; and a sister, Ruth Holman, of Dixfield.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Newell was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Beverly (Anderson) Newell in 2008; a son, Lyn Newell; a grandson, Jerry Newell; and a sister, Elizabeth “Betty” (Newell) Lowe.