Eugene 'Gene' Speeney

Eugene M. Speeney, 69 of Bennington, formerly of Peterborough was surrounded by his family when he died on Friday, March 3, 2017 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

“Geno” or “Gene” as he was better known as was born on June 14, 1947 in Dunbar, Pennsylvania, son of the late Dominic C. and Elizabeth J. (Connors) Speeney. Gene moved with his family to Jaffrey when he was very young and graduated from Conant High School in 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduation and served his country honorably for more than 10 years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. After earning his honorable discharge, Gene worked briefly for New Hampshire Ball Bearing before joining his father in the operation of Dominic C. Speeney & Sons Pyrotechnics after his mother died. Later, Gene partnered with his brother-in-law, Lionel ‘Chip’ Bergeron and together they started Telstar Display Fireworks in Jaffrey.

Gene was an avid hunter and fisherman, as well as a world traveler. He enjoyed every possible opportunity to get outside to work and play with his prized bird dogs. He was a member and past president of the Peterborough Sportsman Club and belonged to the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Club where he enjoyed sharing his passion for Fly Fishing with the local youth attending Quest Camp. Gene also belonged to the Jaffrey VFW Memorial Post #5613 and the John Humiston American Legion Post #11, both in Jaffrey.

Gene had been a member of the Shattuck Golf Club in Jaffrey for over 20 years, and on October 14, 2016 he was finally able to score his first and only hole-in-one on hole #7.

Gene is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Nancy (Chamberlain) Speeney, whom he married on May 24, 1968; his daughter Nicole and her husband Todd Wheeler of Bennington, and his beloved granddaughter, Dominique Wheeler also of Bennington; his sisters, Sheila Bergeron of Jaffrey and Tina Nutting of Peterborough; his brother Thomas Speeney of Temple, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Gene was preceded in death by his son, Shawn M. Speeney on December 6, 1986.

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours which will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Route 202 South), Jaffrey, NH 03452.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday March 9, 2017 at 11:00AM in the Function Room at the Shattuck Golf Course, 53 Dublin Road, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

Spring burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery in Peterborough, next to his son, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gene’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.