Daniel J. Leary

Daniel J. Leary, 85, passed peacefully to the Lord on Sunday, November 20 at The Pheasantwood Center in Peterborough. Formerly of Fitzwilliam, Dan was predeceased by his wife Sybille (2012) and his son Sean (1975).

Dan grew up in the Syracuse area and spent his summers on Lake Ontario. After managing ski areas in Vermont and Maine, he and his family moved to the Monadnock Region in 1967.

He attended Cornell and received a Master’s degree in Education from Antioch College. Dan taught Recreation Management, coached the Alpine Ski and Jumping teams; worked as Assistant Dean of Students; and created the Outing Club at Franklin Pierce College.

As an aspiring skier and outdoor enthusiast, Dan organized outdoor recreation for his community at the college and town. In his later years, his most memorable endeavors was having designed; maintained; and organized the Cross Country Skiing scene for the many children, adults, and racers in the region. Many local Inns and private landholders have a network of cross-country ski trails due to Dan’s passion for the sport. Dan was also a member of the SPNHF, and worked as a Naturalist on Mount Monadnock where he led a variety of educational hikes on the mountain. He was also the pioneer behind re-mapping lost and little known trails of Mount Monadnock.

Dan was a veteran of the United States Air Force as a Radar Intercept Officer for the 61st Fighter Squadron stationed in Newfoundland.

He is survived by his 4 daughters: Liz (& Stanley) Walker of Duxbury, VT.; Michelle Leary (& William Toran) of Hadley, NY; Suzanne (& Steve) Kaplan of Hudson, MA; and Patrice Leary-Forrey (& Scott) of Cape Elizabeth, ME.; his sister Nan Connell of Centerville, MA and nieces Katie, Molly, & Laura; and his 6 grandchildren Abby and Lily Kaplan; and Elise, Haley, Zofia, Marta Leary-Forrey.

A memorial gathering for friends and family will take place at The Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy NH on Sunday, November 27, 2-4pm. Burial arrangements will be made in the spring.