Paul 'Doc' Whicker

Paul R. ‘Doc’ Whicker, 70, of Fitzwilliam and formerly of Rindge, NH died peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 26, 2017 after a brief period of failing health.

Doc was born in Stoneham, MA on May 26, 1946, son of the late Walter and Wylma (Perry) Whicker. He was a 1964 graduate of Middletown (CT) High School and joined the U.S. Navy where he served aboard the USS Stickell. After his honorable discharge, Doc lived in Connecticut and had worked at Pratt & Whitney for several years.

On June 29, 1968, he exchanged vows with Cheryl Pederson and together they began their family. In 1971, Doc moved his family to Rindge, NH and settled in to the community nicely. It was their home for 33 years before eventually moving next door to Fitzwilliam.

Doc was an Eagle Scout himself and he enjoyed being a leader and mentor to the young men in BSA Troop 308 in Rindge. He loved spending quality time with his kids and family and embraced all their activities.

He was civic minded and simply liked to help others. Doc joined the Rindge Fire Department in 1977 and rose through the ranks eventually serving as Chief of the Fire Department. Doc had also become one of the area’s first Emergency Medical Technicians and served the communities of Jaffrey and Rindge on the VFW Memorial Ambulance Service. Doc took his level of commitment even higher by becoming an EMT Instructor, training many of whom are still serving in EMS locally today. Doc eventually retired from fire service and EMS in 1993. For the past 25 years, he has been the Facilities Service Manager at Antioch University New England in Keene.

At home, Doc was an avid Civil War Historian as well as a blacksmith. He also enjoyed camping and gardening in his free time.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cheryl Whicker of Fitzwilliam; his daughters, Heather and her husband Ed Norris of Jaffrey, and Andrea and her husband Aaron Morrissette of Goffstown, NH; his twin sons, Jamie and his wife Samantha Whicker of Hancock, NH and Ken Whicker of Fitzwilliam; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; his 2 brothers, Walter G. Whicker, Jr. of Washington, DC and Richard U. Whicker of Sanford, ME; his sister, Valerie Robichaud of Swanzey, NH; his extended family and many close friends including Joseph and Carol Gagne and the whole Fall River, MA family, as well as his beloved Springer Spaniels, Bo Diddly and Lily.

A brief prayer service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Cournoyer Funeral Home at 33 River Street in Jaffrey at 11:00am, followed by Military Honors.

A Celebration of Doc’s life will continue at the John Humiston American Legion Hall, 20 Webster Street, Jaffrey, from 12:00 to 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Doc’s name to the New England English Springer Spaniel Rescue, NEESSR, Inc., PO Box 407, Ashland, MA 01721.