Monroe, NH- Eugene Weston "Gene" Puffer, 85, of Woodsville Road, died following a period of failing health, on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH. Gene was born in Haverhill, NH on October 5, 1929, to Lorimer and Alice (Welch) Puffer. He was a graduate of Groton High School, Class of 1947 and attended Arnold College in Milford, CT for two years. Eventually, he graduated from Career Academy School of Broadcasters. On October 27, 1950, he married Clara Sadie Hatch. Initially, Gene worked for WCVR, Central Vermont Radio, in Randolph, VT. On October 3, 1976, along with brothers, Gordon and Harold, and son Stephen, he built and helped establish Puffer Brothers Broadcasting and WYKR radio in Haverhill, Woodsville, and Wells River. Spanning the decades, Gene broadcasted Norwich University football games, both home and away, from 1970 through 1990, as-well-as local high school basketball games. In 1998, Gene was inducted into the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He also was the recipient of the Paul Harris Award by Wells River and Woodsville Rotary Club. Gene was a railroading enthusiast and during high school, he worked on the Montpelier to Wells River line. For fourteen years he and Clara owned the South Ryegate Store. They owned it during the time the store was moved from the old Route 302 to its current location. Gene was a very devoted Christian man. He was a former member and Elder of the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church. He treasured and was blessed by his family. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Rev. Eugene and Blanche (Stephenson) Puffer and George and Goldie (Hutchins) Welch; his parents, Lorimer and Alice (Welch) Puffer; and a brother, Harold Bruce Puffer. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Clara Puffer of Monroe; two daughters, Deborah P. Milnor and husband Ed of Monroe and Rebecca C. Bushey and husband Wayne of Brookfield, VT; a son, Stephen John Puffer and wife Teresa of Woodsville; six grandchildren, twins Katrina Wildenstein and husband Phil and Carissa Lackey, Ben Bushey and wife Becky, Ryan Bushey and companion Renee', Joshua Puffer and wife Danielle, and Amanda Marshall and husband Jim; ten great grandchildren, Dakota Bushey, MacKenzie Bushey, Emma Puffer, Dylan and Olivia Marshall, Audrey, Mia, Gavin, and Jackson Puffer, and Kaiden Wildenstein; a brother, Gordon Puffer and wife Maureen of Medenhall, England; sister-in-law, Janet Puffer of Groton, brother-in-law Clifford Hatch and wife Beverly of Groton, and sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Hatch of South Ryegate; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

(Obtained from Ricker Funeral Home)