Orford, NH-Eugene “Gene” Leo Dyke, 72, of Dame Hill Road died of heart failure Monday, August 31, 2020 in Bradford, VT.

 He was born on May 8th, 1948 in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  Soon after, his family moved to Orford, NH, where he was raised and was a resident for the entirety of his life. 

 Gene was an avid athlete and sports enthusiast, excelling at basketball, baseball, and skiing while in school.  He graduated from Orford High School and soon began his first career as a logger.  He became a master carpenter, working for Estes and Gallup in Lyme and then with his brother, Tim Dyke at Sawyer Brook Builders in Orford. 

 He was a charter member of the Orford Lions Club and served on the Parks and Playgrounds Committee in Orford.  For those of you who knew Gene, you surely knew of his love for the game of golf.  Whether on the green at the Lake Morey Resort, in the woods of New Hampshire and Vermont hunting or logging earlier in his life, Gene was always the happiest outdoors! He cherished being with his beloved family, taking care of the many animals he had throughout his life, and caring for his cherished home of over fifty years on Dame Hill Road in Orford.

 Gene is survived by his wife, Ellinor, his three children, Jeffrey Dyke of Boston, MA, Jeannette Frey and her husband Jason Fortin of Melrose, MA, and Richard Frey and his partner Tyler McEvoy of Orford,  a grandson, Jesse Delaurier of Melrose, MA, three brothers, James Dyke and Marie Gillis of Florida, Tim and Nancy Dyke and Daniel and Kara Dyke, all of Orford, and two sisters Janet Downing of Wentworth, NH and Dorisann and William Ross of Orford, and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 A memorial to celebrate Gene’s incredible life will be held on Saturday, September 5th outside and under a tent at 33 Dame Hill Road (across the street from Gene and Ellie’s home) at 2pm.  We ask that if you join the family on Saturday, please wear a mask and exercise social distancing in order to help everyone be and feel safe. Arrangements are by Hale Funeral Home in Bradford, VT.