Daniel Edmond Saxby

Master Stairbuilder, Daniel Edmond Saxby, 72 of Elkins, New Hampshire gracefully died Sunday April 20th in the home he shared with his wife Diane Ahlman- Saxby. He was known to those he loved the most as Dad, Grampa Dan, Dan, Uncle Danny, One of the Twins, Boss, and proudly Lady-Di’s husband.

Dan was born in New London Hospital February 7, 1953, to S. Douglas and Muguette “Miki” Saxby. Arriving approximately 10 minutes after his twin Paul, in his words “after I kicked Paul out, I heard him crying and decided to stay.”

Graduating from Kearsarge Regional High School in 1971 he had a job working for Jim Flemming of Mohawk Builders. Jim held a lifetime of influence over Dan’s priorities as a businessman, a craftsman, a father, and as a lifelong friend to so many, including Julianne, his first wife and the mother of his three daughters, Mel his golf partner, and Stevie Flemming who stood by him till the end.

Dan proudly called New Hampshire his home, spending most of his life in the state that provided him with community, continuity, and plenty of activities. He often said if you are going to live in New England you had better find seasonal hobbies, and he had many. An excellent skier on water and snow, he would exuberantly teach anyone who desired, how to do either with not only skill but with grace and patience. He also loved cycling by motor or in tandem with Diane on back. Golf which took him to his retirement career at Lake Sunapee Country Club where he was a scratch craftsman and a master caddie, always encouraging the game of play for others. Big band swing dancing was the most underutilized hobby; no greater smile was ever seen when the dance floor provided an opportunity for his feet to rock step. He was a dedicated Democrat who believed in voting and volunteering to be a part of the solution. He was a member of the Bradford Fire and Rescue Squad and served as President of the Bradford Business Associating. His passion for travel led him to many places over his 72 years; France, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Canda, the Artic Circle, and throughout the lower 48 most famously on his “Calloused Hands Tour.” Dan was never a stranger, meeting people in Ham and Bean suppers, finding friends in sawdust and sweat like Mr. Ed (Goldman) a retired Jefferson Parish (LA) Firefighter.

Dan founded Colonial Woodworking in Bradford after his mentor Jim Flemming retired. Colonial was not only a business it was a first job for many community members including his three daughters who all began their apprenticeship on the drill press making the wooden plugs that cover the screw holes made during the assembly of stairs. At Colonial Dan’s perfectionism was matched only by his own personal sweat equity. He held no one to a standard greater than the one he held to himself. Some of the deepest friendships and respect were formed at Colonial, those with Ed McGrail, Ed Grace, Ed Hamilton, Randy, Pierre, Matt Goodwyne, the Valley Brothers, and so many more that came through the doors. The friendships not only filled the shop with music and dirty jokes written on the bathroom wall, but it also rescued it when the financial crisis of 1989 hit all construction trades. Colonial found partners in employees Midge Monkton, Marty Vincent and his brother Paul. Colonial Woodworking spanned 40 years of rise in talent over run of desire. It was his lifelong career that drove him to the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, NM, where he spent a solid week returning daily to the “miracle staircase” to inspect and determine the viability of the mystery of how the stair was built. Although he had left his Catholic faith he was gobsmacked by advanced technique and quality well beyond the tools of the time. His knowledge and professional experience gave Dan the authority to say the staircase was not built by an ordinary man in ordinary times.

Dan is survived by his wife of almost 9 years, Diane Ahlman-Saxby. The time that they had together was brief, but their love was bright. Upon meeting, Diane thought Dan was too bumpkin with his LL Bean shirts, and Dan thought Diane was too high maintenance with her diamonds, but to anyone who would listen Dan would say “I am a lucky man to have met the love of my life.” They traveled together, comforted each other, and they love each other beyond the boundaries of this life.

Dan’s proudest accomplishment was being a father, and a dad to his three daughters, Dan and the Girls. The impact of his love and lessons are clear in meeting anyone of them as they are Dad’s Girls. He leaves his three daughters: Michelle Anne Moulin and her fiancé Anthony Conte, Hope Danielle Laro, Sarah April Richer and her husband “the Good Doctor” Daniel Richer; grandchildren Amber-“Dandy” Halt, Jessica Sisco and husband Cpt. Alex Sisco, USAF, Chase(r) Daniel Laro, Darby “Miss Mae” Laro, Madeleine Muguette Richer, Aquinas C. Richer. His twin brother Paul, sisters Fran, and Colette. Sister-in-law Susan Saxby. Nieces: Jamie, Jennifer, Anne and nephews David, Marc, Josh, Matthew, Daniel and Mike; and Mel his fairway plus-one; Diane’s daughter’s Shelly and Darlene, their husbands, and seven grandchildren.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Andre D. Saxby and Marc V. Saxby, and his nephew Benjamin S. Saxby.

A Celebration of Dan E. Saxby’s life is tentatively scheduled for the last weekend of July, 2025 at his home in Elkins. In leu of flowers the family is asking for personal stories about Dan or photos to share be sent to a.richer.story@gmail.com