Glen R. Eastman

Glen Eastman, 101, of Gorham NH passed away peacefully at home on November 18, 2025, surrounded by family and friends who dearly loved him.

Glen was born in Berlin NH, attended Berlin schools and graduated from Berlin High in 1942. He then joined the Army Air Corps to serve his country during World War II as a gunnery instructor for B-25 bombers. After the war, he attended the University of New Hampshire on the GI Bill, earning a BA in Business.

After college, he and his brother Charlie opened Eastman's Furniture Store which helped many young families furnish their first homes. When they closed the store, he accepted a position as the Director of the Tri-County Community Action Program and many of the programs he started in the area still exist today. He co-owned and operated Belco Excavating Company and did snow removal until he finally retired at the ripe old age of 90.

He was a long time Selectman in the town of Gorham, serving for about 15 years, and was named Honorary Lifetime Selectman on the occasion of his 100th Birthday. He was a proud member of the Free and Accepted Masons Gorham-Sabitis Lodge #73. Glen was a visionary and he deeply respected the history of our area. He was instrumental in saving what was known as the Bishop Home on Main Street in Gorham. He spearheaded the project that moved the building to its present location on Railroad St, where this beautiful historic building serves as the Gorham Public Library. Many remember him riding on the roof of the house, carefully watching for power lines, as it moved down Main Street. He was a lifetime member of the Paul T. Doherty Memorial Forest Committee. A long time supporter of the Arts, he was involved in the Waumbek Music and Arts Festival during its time in Jefferson, NH. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling and skiing; he was a true outdoorsman. At the age of 80 he pitched his final softball game. He loved spending time with his family at his camp on Lake Umbagog. Deeply patriotic, his favorite holiday was the Fourth of July and he is known across the area (particularly to local law enforcement) for his dynamic firework displays; a passion that he has passed down to his children and grandchildren.

He was a remarkable man who believed in family and community service and lived his life as an example to all. He met his wife Janice at his furniture store and their whirlwind romance turned into a beautiful lifetime legacy of love. He was a loving father and grandfather and a mentor to many in the community. For years he met his friends, known as the 'Breakfast Club", every day for coffee, initially at Welsh's and later at McDonald's, where the conversations were lively and varied. He was a strong, robust man with a thoughtful intellect and a kind generous nature. Fiercely independent, he drove until after his 101st birthday and retained his strong mind and legendary sense of humor until the end. He was equally at home in the backwoods of NH and in elegant surroundings and could enjoy a conversation with anyone from the Governor to local citizens. No matter where he traveled, Glen usually found someone he knew.

He leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Janice, his children, Mark Eastman and wife Rachel; Michael Eastman and wife Judy; June Eastman and companion Steve; Toni Taylor and husband Joe, and six grandchildren, Amy Eastman, Tammy Coulombe, Dylan Rychlik, Jonathan Taylor, Gregory Taylor, and Sara Taylor, as well as numerous dear friends in the community. He was predeceased by his oldest son, Glen Eastman II (Dicky) and his older siblings, Charles Eastman and June Riso.

The family would like to express their gratitude to North Country Home Health and Hospice whose assistance enabled our family to keep Glen in his home for his final months.

Bryant Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, November 23rd from 2-4 pm at Bryant's Gorham location at 1 Promenade St, Gorham NH. A funeral service will be held at 1 pm, Monday, November 24th at St Paul Lutheran Church, 101 Norway St, Berlin NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Glen's honor to the Veteran organization, Tunnels to Tower, at https://t2t.org, North Country Home Health and Hospice at www.nchhha.org, or a charity of your choice.