North Sutton, NH-Robert Bettoney, age 89, formerly of Far Horizon, North Sutton, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the New Hampshire Veteran’s home in Tilton, NH.

Dad was a veteran of WWII serving in both Europe, from “D” day through the period of Normandy Invasion, and then Okinawa and in Okinawa Gunto Operation all within a two year period 1943-1946. Dad was a “Coxswain” in the Navy and had an honorable discharge with these medals: World War II Victory medal American Theatre Medal European-African-Middle East Theatre Medal Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal He never spoke much of his war experience except to say that he went in as a boy, and came out a man…….it really grew one up so to speak.

He was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts on December, 9, 1922 the son of Fred and Alice Bettoney. He spent his early years working as an apprentice with his uncle, Harry Bettoney in the family business, “Cundy Bettoney Company” that made and manufactured woodwind instruments in Boston, Massachusetts.

As a family man Robert drove to Boston working as a draftsman engineer at Stone and Webster for 30 years before retiring to N. Sutton in 1985.

Robert’s father was part of the Boston “Pops” Symphony Orchestra playing a bassoon under the famous composer, Arthur Fiedler. Robert’s mother was a vocalist in the “Handle and Hadyn Society” one of the oldest continuing performing arts organization. Their young son, Robert, my dad couldn’t help but develop a love for music.

He continued this love for music by routinely tuning the stereo to classical music each evening as we grew up thus enjoying his heritage and love for music. Dad joined a choral group for many years in Massachusetts that regularly performed classical presentations in the South Shore, Massachusetts.

Dad taught his four children to love camping and hiking experiences, skiing in New Hampshire and yearly vacations to favorite camping spots. Robert enjoyed retirement in New Hampshire, the snow storms, chopping wood to keep the home fires burning, waving a cheerful hello to all who passed by while sitting on the screen porch at his beloved “Far Horizon” homestead. His joy was to listen to classical music daily. I pray the music of heaven is entertaining him now.

Robert was predeceased by his wife Helen (Henneberger) Bettoney just 6 months prior to his own death. Members of his family include his four children, Susan Whisman of Port Orford, Oregon, Ann Schwep of Jacksonville, Oregon, Robert Bettoney of Concord, NH and David Bettoney of North Sutton at the old homestead, NH, 6 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at the North Sutton Church, Sunday, August 5, 2012 and an internment for both Robert and his wife Helen on August 6, 2012 at the Veteran’s cemetery in Boscawen , NH.

In lieu of flowers we would ask that you play your favorite music and enjoy the melody that it brings. To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com