Richard "Dick" L. Hurd

Richard "Dick" L. Hurd, age 80 of Newport, NH, passed away on September 23, 2025 after bravely battling cancer, with his loving wife Dona by his side.

Dick was born November 4, 1944 to Ernest and Maxine (Boutwell) Hurd. He was a lifelong resident of Newport.

He graduated from Towle High School with the class of 1962. Dick went to work at Dorr Woolen for nine years, then to Sturm-Ruger for sixteen years, ending his working career at LaValley Building Supply where he worked for over 20 years, retiring in 2009.

Dick enlisted in the US Air Force in 1962, serving in the Vietnam War, where he was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

He married his soul-mate, Dona LaFountaine, another Newport resident, in July of 1999.  They shared 46 wonderful years together, 26 of them married.

Hunting, fishing, and golfing were some of his favorite hobbies. He also loved bowling, cooking, and was an animal lover. After the loss of his own beloved pets, he enjoyed caring for pets of family and friends while they were away.

He was such an avid cook, he and his close sister-in-law Sherri, often baked favorite foods to share. Dick's specialty was comforting and hearty soups and stews, and Sherri made delicious scones (among many other things) that kept Dick and Dona well supplied.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, his sister Elaine Gebo, and his brothers John Boutwell, Robert Hurd, Preston Hurd, and William "Bill" Hurd.

Surviving family members include his wife Dona (Lord) LaFountaine of Newport; his daughter Lori Ann Stefanik of Murrieta, CA; his son Dan LaFountaine and his wife Samantha of Croydon, NH; his sister Priscilla Nichols of CA; his sister-in-laws Roberta Hurd and Sherri Hurd; his two grandchildren, that he always had great times with, Christian Robinson and Colby Stefanik, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at North Newport Cemetery, 567 Oak Street in Newport.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sullivan County Humane Society, PO Box 111, Claremont, NH 03743, or the Upper Valley Humane Society, PO Box 789, Lebanon, NH 03766.

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