Deane E. Horne, 89, the beloved “Old Man” of Woodstock, NH passed away with family at his side at his daughter's home in Campton, NH after a period of failing health on Sunday, March 8, 2020.

He was born at home in Franconia, NH to Donald F. and Doris E. (Moses) Horne on April 4, 1930.

Deane grew up in Franconia attending Dow Academy.  As children, he and his siblings rode with their grandparents on the stagecoach from Franconia to Lincoln picking up guests to be transported back through Franconia Notch to stay at the Inn they operated in Franconia.  As a young man he enjoyed skiing & jumping at Mittersill Resort and Cannon Mountain, having participated in the 80 meter in Berlin, NH.  Even as a youngster he loved the outdoors and would often be found fishing, hiking and playing in the woods nearby.  He worked tending the gardens for Bette Davis who had a summer home in Sugar Hill.  Ms. Davis even used to take the Horne siblings in her limousine for rides, including to her premiere of “The Great Lie” at the Jax Jr. Theater in Littleton, NH.  

Deane joined the Navy in 1948 and served until his honorable discharge in 1952.  He served aboard the USS Calhoun County (LST 519), a ship that disposed of nuclear waste and decontaminated ammunition in the waters off the coast of Virginia.  This ship, having earned two battle stars for World War II service, was decommissioned on November 8, 1962 and sunk as a target off the Virginia Capes in June of 1963.  It was highly radioactive.   He was interviewed for a book written about his ship and the time he served on it.  The author Deborah Derrick titled the book “Half Lives” and Deane’s photo is featured on the cover.

Deane returned to the area after serving his country and found work locally.  He helped logging to clear the Moore Dam before the flooding, worked at the CC Camps, Franconia Paper Mill, Town of Woodstock, NH State Highway Department plowing the Kancamagus Highway, Currier Chipping, Avery Construction and the Lincoln Post Office.  Throughout his children’s younger years, he ran his own local rubbish removal company, designing and manufacturing a hydraulic tailgate to maneuver the trash cans up to the top of the truck to be dumped, and this tailgate was the highlight of many of the local children, who would delight in riding it as he worked,  passing through the neighboring towns.  He was a handyman, able to find a way to fix most anything.

Deane enjoyed hunting, fishing & hiking, even maintaining the hiking trail at Gordon Pond & the falls area.    He loved visiting with friends and family,  in the earlier days on mornings at Wayne’s Market and then later in life at the coffee group “liars club” at McDonalds in Lincoln where they met regularly each morning to share stories and jokes, and news from around the town.  He always had photos and copies of pictures to show others, along with a story to go with the photos. He loved old stories, regaling tales of his Native American ancestors, natural medicines, plants & treatments and Indian lore.  He loved to walk, and spent most everyday walking to town and back, and in his later years enjoying rides from locals and entertaining them with his stories as well.  He loved gatherings with his family, and he was always delighted in watching the grandchildren & great grandchildren and entertaining everyone with his stories.  His great grandchildren had lovingly nicknamed him “Popcorn,” which started with a younger child mispronouncing Pop Horne.

He is survived by a daughter, Dakema Besemer and her husband Larry of Campton, NH,  four sons, Deane Horne and his wife Karen of Littleton, Randy Horne of Portland, OR, Donald Horne of LaPine, OR, and Jesse Horne and his wife Mandy of Woodstock, NH, eleven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and countless friends.

Along with his parents, Deane is predeceased by two brothers, Donald and David Horne, and four sisters, Deveda Horne, Delores Quimby-Sinner, Deanna MacKay and Donna O’Haire.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Deane, the family requests that a donation be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 or via their website www.outdoors.org/honor-memorial-gift    When making a donation please note “Deane Horne/Trails Fund” in the Honor/Memorial Name field.   This will assure that the donation goes specifically to building, maintaining & improving trails, which was always so important to Deane, a cause very near and dear to his heart.  In the notification name & address you may list Dakema Besemer, PO Box 163, Plymouth, NH  03264 if you would like the AMC to notify the family of your gift.

Services will be held later in the spring when larger gatherings are once again safe.