Alvah Walter Niemela

Alvah Niemela, 91, of Rindge, NH, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025.

He was born the fourth of ten children on November 4th,1933 in Dublin, NH, to John and Lempi (Korpi) Niemela Sr. Alvah was married in 1955 to the late Barbara (Lattrell) Niemela of Winchendon, Mass for over 51 years. He graduated in 1947 from the 8th grade from Dublin Consolidated School. His Junior High teacher was most impressive of all former teachers and promoted his interest in becoming a teacher. He graduated from Peterborough High School in 1951. Principal Gerald Farnee was instrumental in Alvah becoming an educator. In high school, Alvah played basketball and baseball with baseball being his favorite. When he was young, hardball was still popular among local teams. He was noted for his catching skills. Alvah graduated from Keene Teacher’s College in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He was also the varsity baseball catcher during his college years at Keene Teacher’s College. In addition to baseball, he also played college soccer and was on the 1953, Keene Teacher’s College soccer team, that won the New England Teachers College Championship. 

He began his teaching career in Gilsum, NH teaching grades 6, 7, and 8th in a one room schoolhouse while also assuming the principal duties. He always said it was challenging, but an enjoyable experience. After teaching for two years in the Fitzwilliam school district, Alvah took a teaching position in California for one year. Upon returning from California, Alvah took a position teaching math and science at Conant High School in Jaffrey. Alvah continued his education for several years. In addition to courses at Keene State, he was chosen to take summer scholarships in science at Northern Illinois and Utah State. 

Alvah earned a master’s degree at Keene State College in 1971. He became principal of Conant High School in 1969 when the old building housed grades 7 through 12, until 1974. The early seventies involved working with the superintendent, school board, and architects on the new building and programs, which opened in 1974. Alvah remained as Principal until 1977.

In his younger years and during the off-summer months of education, Alvah had always been involved in the building trades and acquired a masters license in electricity in three states. He then began another career and built many homes in the area, including his own in Jaffrey. Alvah, Barbara and family enjoyed a home he built in Hernando, Florida, along with a cottage he built on a lake in Rindge, NH, where he enjoyed playing golf, tennis, hunting and fishing.

Alvah is survived by his son Mark and wife Claudette (Stone) Niemela, of Swanzey, NH, son Kyle Niemela and partner Jessica Wheeler of Jaffrey, NH and daughter Allison and husband Richard Broadbent of Reading, PA and his 6 grandchildren, Nicholas Niemela of Keene, NH, Lauren and husband Corey Arel of Mason, NH, Emily Broadbent and husband TJ Tweddle of Leesport, PA, Sarah Broadbent of Lancaster, PA, Rowan and Tate Niemela of Boston, MA and his 5 great-grandchildren; Lyla Niemela of Keene, NH, Wesley and Griffin Arel of Mason, NH, and Thomas and Chauncey Broadbent-Tweddle of Leesport, PA and his sisters; Lorna Letourneau of Dublin, NH and Linda Saville of Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alvah’s name to the Jaffrey Historical Society, located at 40 Main Street, Jaffrey, New Hampshire 03452.

The burial will take place in the spring at Cutter Cemetery in Jaffrey.

A Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 1PM, at the First Church of Jaffrey on Laban Ainsworth Way in Jaffrey Center. Pastor Stephen Miller will officiate.