Mr. Forrest Harris Searles

March 29, 1935 - April 8, 2016

Forrest Harris Searles, 81, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born on March 29, 1935 in Cabot, VT to Addie and Harry Searles. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Cabot High School in 1952. After High School he began working for the Cabot Creamery and then Cross Baking Company in Montpelier, VT. He married and had four children. In 1967, his job with Cross Baking brought his family to Claremont, NH where he was promoted to fleet manager and became a licensed electrician. For many years he volunteered wiring the electrical power for the Claremont 4th of July Celebrations. In 1978, Forrest retired from Cross Baking and purchased the local bowling alley, Maple Lanes. He also became part owner of the Modified Lane 13 race car which raced at the Claremont Speedway. After his bowling alley and racing days, Forrest then worked for many years in the facilities department at Valley Regional Hospital until his retirement. Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing, trapping, hunting, bowling, horse shoes, cribbage and racing. He loved watching the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, and NASCAR racing. Forrest was predeceased by both his parents and his siblings Robert Searles of Barre VT, Marion Godfrey of Cabot VT, Earl Searles of Walden VT, Gordon Searles of Manchester NH, Roger Searles of Cabot VT, Roland Searles of Cabot VT, Doris Hovey of Cabot VT, Lester Searles of Hancock NH, Madeline Camp of Barre VT, Mary Rocheleau of Concord VT and Richard Searles of Cabot VT. Survivors include son Gary Searles of Lebanon NH and daughters Deborah Arcand and husband Robert of Winooski VT, Delinda Dupree of Meriden NH and Darlene Sprague and husband Samuel of Unity NH; sisters Marjorie Gendron of Montpelier VT, Olive Wilson of Newbury VT, Donna Winchester of Newbury VT and Shirley McClay of Cabot VT; grandchildren Benjamin Searles of Largo FL, Matthew Searles of Newport NH, PFC Jonathan Searles of Fort Leonard Wood MO, Andrea McMahon of Walpole NH, Stephen Sprague of Winooski VT, Harrison Sprague of Burlington VT , Airman Charles Sprague of Monterey CA, Timothy and Joseph Dupree of Meriden NH; great granddaughters Caidence Verill and Caelyn McMahon of Walpole NH. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 23, 2016at the Roy Funeral Home, 93 Sullivan Street, Claremont NH. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00pm until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NH Association for the Blind, 25 Walker Street, Concord NH 03301.