William Hackett Jr.
Gilmanton - William "Bill" Hackett Jr., 83, died Saturday, Aug.
2, 2008, at Genesis Eldercare Network, Laconia Center.
With him were his caring family and his nurses, Mother Mary,
Janice and Kathy, and many more who cared and loved him at the
center.
Bill was born in Farmington on April 18, 1925, to William
Hackett Sr. and Sadie (Hayward) Hackett.
He was employed in his early years at Clairmont's Saw Mill and
later became the town dump keeper of the town of Gilmanton. As a
hard worker, he took pride in never missing a day's work in his
life.
When William was very young, the Hackett family had frequent
hardships and was required to place William where his needs
would be taken care of, so he was placed in the Laconia State
School's orphanage, at the young age of 8.
At the age of 18 and still at the Laconia State School, he came
to work on the well-known blueberry and apple orchard farm of
the late King and Iona Little in Gilmanton. He was so helpful
and loveable, they adopted him, and he lived in Gilmanton as
part of the Little family for the rest of his life.
Hunting and fishing was a large part of his life. This was also
a big part of the family's food source. He loved the outdoors
and loved teaching his outdoor skills to his special nephew,
Bobby Little.
His nephew, Bobby, returned the favor later on in Bill's elder
years, by taking him in to live with him and his loving family
after King and Iona Little passed on. Bill always said "this was
the best gift he ever had in his life."
When he was not hunting or fishing, the Gilmanton residents
would find him hitch-hiking to Laconia, to visit his new
extended family, Robert and Arlene Little. Everyone in Gilmanton
knew who Bill was so he always would get a ride. He would strike
up a conversation with the drivers who picked him up and would
find out their name, address and birthdates. From that moment
on, he would remember them forever. He had a memory that was
extraordinary.
Bill held very close to his heart a very special lady in town,
Bonnie (Hartford) Whalen. She never forgot to leave him gifts at
the town dump for his birthday, on holidays, or just because. He
was always appreciative of her kindness.
Bill was known to walk miles in unpleasant weather to fill a
wood box for a friend who was too ill to do so. He would pull
out his last penny and give the shirt off his back to a friend
in need.
His kind and gentle manner was well known within the town and
will never be forgotten. He had a pure innocence about him.
The town of Gilmanton has lost a very special person!
Bill is survived by his adopted family members: sister Arlene
(Little) Hunkins of Boscawen; nieces, Gloria-Jean Lacasse of
Gilford and Ruth Lea Wrigley of Brookline; grand-niece, Barbara
Hoey of Belmont; grand-nephews Recardo Segalini of Belmont,
Andrew Segalini of Newport, R.I., and Dana Wrigley of Mesa,
Ariz.; three great-grandnieces, Eimile and Elaina Hoey and
Morgan Ferguson, all of Belmont; and one great-grandnephew
Mitchel Segalini of Gilmanton.
Graveside services were held Saturday, August 9, 2008, at Union
Cemetery, Laconia, where the Rev. Linda Bolton, Pastor of the
Gilmanton Community Church, officiated.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home in Laconia is in charge of
arrangements. For more information, log on to
www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
