Lyle F Whitcomb

LITTLETON – Lyle Franklin Whitcomb, 84, of Railroad Street died peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday April 6 in Epsom under the care of Epsom Healthcare Center Hospice.

Lyle was born in Littleton on April 17, 1931 to Franklin and Florence (Lowry) Whitcomb. He grew up in East Concord and graduated from Concord High School, Concord, Vt., class of 1950. Lyle spent most of his life in Littleton following a long line of descendants that settled in the Littleton area during the American Revolution. He married Rachel A. Whitcomb on May 31, 1954. He served with the U.S. Navy on the destroyer USS Kimberly from 1950 to 1955. He served with the occupation of Japan forces, saw combat duty in the Korean War and the Formosa Conflict. After military service, Lyle worked at the Gilman Paper Mill, the shoe manufacturing industry in Littleton and Whitney Weatherproofing in Franconia before starting his own business, Whitcomb Enterprises, which included roofing, siding, insulation and home remodeling. There are few homes in the Littleton area that Lyle has not worked on at one time or the other. Included in his businesses were Whitcomb’s Hardware store and snowmobile sales and service. He also owned several rental properties. In his late 40’s Lyle was able to realize his dream of owning and operating his own farm, buying the former Meadow Brook Farm (now Meadowstone Farm) in Bethlehem. He and his wife Rachel remodeled and ran the farm for 20 years raising everything from cattle, pigs, turkeys, chickens to vegetables which they sold every summer at their vegetable stand. One of Lyle’s favorite pastimes was operating his skidder and harvesting timber on his land. Other interests included hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling. He coached Little League, was a Boy Scout leader, and a member of the VFW and the Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Littleton. He retired to his home on Railroad Street in Littleton where he remained active working in his garden, cutting wood for winter and varies other projects. In the warmer months he enjoyed sitting on his porch in the company of his family and friends. He was an avid Celtics and Red Sox fan seldom missing a game.

He is survived by his four children: Steven Whitcomb and wife Pam of Epsom NH; David Whitcomb of Littleton; Katie McGraw and husband Will of Summerville, SC, Joy Whitcomb and husband Sandor Lipcsik of Newark DE; 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; a sister, Frances MacDonald of East Concord VT and several nieces and nephews.

Lyle was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Rachel A. Whitcomb.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Senior Center of Littleton, 77 Riverglen Lane, Littleton NH 03561. Visiting Hours will be 6-8PM on Tuesday April 12 at Ross Funeral Home, 282 West Main St. Littleton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11AM, Wednesday April 13 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 77 Clay St, Littleton.  

 Service Information