Woodsville, NH-  Duane Michael Hobbs, 77, of Park Street, died following a brief illness, on Friday, July 8, 2016, at Cottage Hospital, Woodsville, with his family by his side.

Duane was born on March 30, 1939, in Chester, VT, to Myron and Ethel (O'Brien) Hobbs.  He graduated from Springfield (VT) High School in 1957 and from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy in 1961.  After his college graduation, Duane served in the US Navy from 1961 through 1965.  Following his honorable discharge, he began his pharmacy career in Vergennes, VT at Campbell's Pharmacy.

On September 23, 1967, he married Mary Stebbins.  Eventually, Duane and Mary moved to Wells River, VT where he served as a Pharmacist at Thomas Pharmacy from 1974 until his retirement in 2001.

Duane was a communicant at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Woodsville.  He was active in  the Blue Mt. Grange, was a former Blue Mt. Union School Board member as well as a former member of the Cottage Hospital Board of Trustees.  In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, playing BINGO at the VFW in North Haverhill, and fishing with his grandchildren.  Mostly, he cherished time surrounded by his family at their many gatherings.

He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Mary Stebbins Hobbs on September 19, 2013 and his brother, Myron "Jim" Hobbs on January 16, 2016.

He is survived by two sons, Jonathan Hobbs and wife Kindra of Woodsville and children Kyle and Paige Royer, and Michael Hobbs of Belgrade, MN and daughters Lizzy and Matilda Hobbs.  Other family members include Joe Pollender, Kate Davie and husband Steve and their children Hannah, Willa, and Owen, Abby Pollender and her children Molly, Ann, and Kara Goolman, and Ann Pollender and  husband Alan Kamman and their family Aliza and Sawyer Kamman; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, July 14 from 6-8 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 15, at 10 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 15, Pine Street, Woodsville with Father Alan Tremblay, officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mt. Grange, c/o Mrs. Betty Beauvais, PO Box 365, East Ryegate, VT 05042, to VFW Post # 5245, c/o Mr. Dale Pierson, 3 Beech Street, Woodsville, NH 03785 for the establishment of their memorial park, or to Woodsville Ambulance Service, PO Box 191, Woodsville, NH 03785.