HAMPTON, New Hampshire — Alan Irving Marston, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, died March 28, 2024, in Hampton, New Hampshire at the age of 91 with loved ones by his side. Widely respected for his veterinary prowess, intelligence and dry wit, he is remembered as a true gentleman with sparkling blue eyes, unfailing politeness and a head of thick white hair.

It is impossible to capture the vivaciousness, intellectual curiosity, sense of fun, compassion and love for family, the world and ways in which he touched everyone he met in a significant way. Here is a modest recap in the hope of prompting your own fond memories.

Alan was devoted to Helen Jane LeRoux — his wife of nearly 65 years — and the family they raised together. He loved Helen’s sense of humor, her independent spirit and her intellect. Alan was incredibly proud of Helen for her academic accomplishments and all she did for their two kids — Claudie and Alan LeRoux (Little Alan).

As kids Claudie and Little Alan spent endless hours enjoying the fruits of their dad’s labors of love: climbing around the tree house, digging in the sand box, swimming in the pool, having sleepovers in the hut he built down back, riding the rope tow he created (with a manure spreader motor and his incredible rope splicing skills) back up the hill. Alan took the family and kids on adventures hiking, skiing, skating on the creek, boating and fishing all around Vermont and New England. After school most days he took one or both kids on “Call” with him visiting dairy farms all over Addison County. He taught them how to raise vegetables, birds, dogs and to have fun while being responsible and honest.

During his 40-plus years as a Bovine Practitioner Alan built his love of the outdoors and nature into every day. His Chrysler Sedan was often seen stopped along a dirt road beside a quiet brook. Doc was likely foraging for fiddleheads, scouting for native Brookies or tracking a bird on the wing. He drove 50,000 miles a year and gave rides to many over the years. He had no judgements and listened quietly to whatever might be happening that day.

Alan was a crack shot and enjoyed years of shooting skeet and paper targets — as well as the occasional woodchuck. He took the family to many skeet competitions around New England and New York. He and Helen traveled with other members of the VT Skeet Shooters Association to World Shoots in Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York and Canada. He loved fishing and fished the Atlantic, rivers of Eastern Canada and Iceland as well as lakes, rivers and streams all over New England.

Ready for a change of scene in the late 1980’s Alan and Helen auctioned the contents of the red brick house on Pulp Mill Bridge Road, sold Alan’s Veterinary Practice and joined the Peace Corps. In Morrocco Alan and his driver/translator/Vet Tech Trainee would drive for hours to treat donkeys and goats deep in the country. When they had free time Alan and Helen travelled around Morrocco and explored Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar.

After the Peace Corps Alan and Helen settled on the midcoast of Maine in Tenants Harbor. Alan continued practicing Veterinary Medicine for many years traveling to Vermont and different parts of Maine to substitute for other Veterinarians recovering from surgery or taking time off. While at home Alan spent many hours in his extensive vegetable and flower gardens and his wood piles. He hand-cut and split seven cords of tree length logs every year from 1978 to 1987 when he finally broke down and bought a gas-powered splitter. He continued to cut, split and stack tree-length logs until he was 87. Alan loved seafood, chess, opera, classical music, Red Rose Tea, cooking, learning, birds and astronomy.

Alan passed on his love of hiking, skiing, skating, learning, nature and travel to Claudie. Together they summited many New England peaks, skied, hiked, wet lines, laughed, dug clams and shot targets.

Alan loved all his family a great deal. He is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter, Claudie and her husband Greg; granddaughter Ayden and partner ET; sisters Barbara and Cynthia; sister-in-law Lu; brother-in-law Bruce; and many nieces and nephews — several of which are named Alan.

Alan was predeceased by his cherished son, Alan LeRoux Marston; his brother, David; brothers-in-law Hockey and Rod; and sister Norma; as well as many dogs — notably Boston Terriers Sam, Stanley and Dennis.

We are grateful for the kind, loving care Alan received from all the Staff at Partridge House and Compassus Hospice.

Alan chose not to have a service or memorial. Instead, please enjoy a cup of tea, a very dry martini or a glass of a big red wine in his memory.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing in his memory to one of the following: St. George Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Association, PO Box 249 Tenants Harbor Maine 04860; Neighbor to Neighbor, PO Box 172 Tenants Harbor Maine 04860; or St. George Community Development Corporation, PO Box 160, Tenants Harbor Maine 04860.

Arrangements by www.kentandpelczarfh.com/obituary/alan-marston.