Jack Sargent of Bedford, NH and North Port FL. (formerly of Chichester) passed away on September 26 at the age of 81 years. Jack was born in Thedford, VT. on October 15, 1936 and was raised in Hanover, NH. He is a 1954 graduate of Hanover High School and attended Vermont Academy. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Resources from the University of NH in 1959 and a Masters of Public Administration in 1986. Jack spent his career in the public sector beginning as the Coos County Extension Service Forester from 1960 to 1969, A District Forester for the NH Division of Forest and Lands from 1969 to 1972, NH Chief of Forest Protection from 1972 to 1986 and as Director of NH Division of Forest and Lands until his retirement in 1996. During his professional life, Jack served on and volunteered his time on a number of professional and civic organizations and committees. He was the Chairman of the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Committee, President of the Northeast Area Association of State Foresters and the Secretary of the National Association of State Foresters. Jack served as a Hot Shot Fire Crew Boss on numerous wildfires in the western states and was responsible for organizing and training crews here in NH for duty out west. He also served as a member of the Coos County, Lancaster, and Chichester Planning Boards, was President of the Pittsfield Lions Club, a Harris Fellowship member of the Pittsfield Rotary Club, a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in Lancaster, NH and a long time Lector at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Pittsfield, NH. He was the Chichester town meeting Moderator for 15 years. In retirement Jack continued his public servant life as President of the Home Owners Association of LaCassa in North Port FL.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Rita (Sloan), son Mark C. and his wife Ginger of Barnstead, NH, daughter Pamela J Plante and husband Kenneth, son Michael S and his wife April of Weare, NH and daughter Katrina L MacLeod of Bedford, NH, 10 grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents Bertram and Mary Sargent as well as two bothers, Robert and Peter.

Jack loved skiing and was an excellent downhill skier as well as a ski jumper. He raced in all 4 events through high school, Vermont Academy and the University of New Hampshire and was a long time ski instructor at Prospect Mountain Ski Area in Lancaster, NH and the Highland Ski Area in Northfield NH. Jack was an avid RedSox fan, enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved being in the forests if northern NH,

A memorial mass will be held in Tuesday October 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart if Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road, Concord NH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Five Rivers Conservation Trust at 6 Dixon Ave, Suite 201, Concord, NH 03301