Gary M. Coolidge Jr.

Gary M. Coolidge Jr. CLAREMONT — Gary Melvin Coolidge Jr., 56, died at home Tuesday, June 29, 2021, after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer, in the loving arms of his wife of 29 years, Barbara Brooks Spear, surrounded by friends and family. Gary and Barbara were officially married on Oct. 5, 2018, in Windsor, Vermont. He was the beloved middle child born to Gary Melvin Coolidge Sr. and Carol L. Phetteplace, on July 18, 1964, in Van Nuys, California. Gary was a meat cutter by trade for 35 years in the Claremont area, as well as the Upper Valley, which he enjoyed. He was a master of all trades and enjoyed purchasing homes to restore, sell or rent. After retiring as a meat manager at Price Chopper three years ago, he continued with restoring homes in Claremont full time. He could also be found at least once daily, and at times twice, making a trip to a grocery store to give an opinion of the meat case and take advantage of the opportunity to socialize with any willing human-stranger or friend. He had the “gift of gab” and could make anyone feel as though he knew them for years. He recently moved to his dream home, where he had the freedom to ride his four-wheelers, cut up wood for his stove in preparation of winter and catch the local animals on his wildlife camera. He enjoyed riding Harleys, with his wife and son, recently trading his beloved Road Glide, for a Tri Glide, which he was only able to ride a few times, due to his declining health. Gary leaves his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Danielle Marie Coolidge (Zachary “Zach”) Van Solkema; his two children by his present marriage, Courtney Lyn Coolidge and Kyle Justin Coolidge; Julie Morse, a daughter from Barbara’s first marriage whom he considered his daughter; his mother, Carol L. Phetteplace (Glenn) Howard and companion Paul Arnold; his sisters, Stacey E. Coolidge (Mark) Williams and Tracey E. Coolidge Chapman (William); his stepmother, Joan K. Neale Coolidge; stepbrother, Michael E. Lontine (Andrea Adario); mother-in-law, Rosemary B. Howard Spear Morancy (Robert); stepmother-in-law, Marsha A. Dimick Spear (Raymund); brother-in-law, Daniel H. Morancy; step-brothers-in-law, Robert W. Morancy Jr. (Julianne) and Timothy E. Morancy (Maryhelen); sisters-in-law, Mary L. Spear-Garrow (Donald) and Billyjo McBride (Robert Herrie); grandchildren, Kaylee Marie Marshall, Weston Kyle Gunnip, Emma Sofia DeMatteo, Christian Charles Van Solkema, Paisley Jean Coolidge, Melody Kay Van Solkema. His father, Gary Melvin Coolidge Sr., father-in-law Raymund E. Spear, stepfather Glenn B. Howard and grandson Elijah Justin Gunnip predeceased him. We all want to hear one more time: “it’s your dime” or “hey, Slacker.” A graveside service will be held July 18, 2021, at 1 o’clock, Mountain View Cemetery, Claremont, New Hampshire. There will be a motorcycle procession to 119 Veterans Park Road, Claremont, New Hampshire, for a celebration of Gary’s life.