Gregory Alan Doane

Gregory Alan Doane (Greg) of Deerfield passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 13, in Boston from complications following heart surgery. He was surrounded by family and his best friend Gregg Pitman.

Greg was a true and vigorous adventurer, dedicated to the belief that life was best lived outdoors. Greg espoused a deep love of conservation, friendship and family, whether close to his Deerfield home or across the globe.

His wanderings included treks across New Hampshire, including the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee with friends and family. They also expanded internationally. He was a longtime member of Appalachian Mountain Club and the AMC Adventure Travel.

His global travels included the Alaskan Denali backcountry, multiple national parks across the United States, Nepal, Italy, Patagonia in South America, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Europe and Canada.

An accomplished mountaineer, Greg summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. He twice hiked to the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal to leave prayer flags in memory of his beloved wife, Wendy Schorr, who passed away in 2010.

Just before his passing, Greg bicycled through Sicily, Italy with his biking group. He also skied in Austria, Switzerland, the Italian Dolomites, Montana and, of course, New Hampshire.

Greg shared his passions and sense of adventure with his family and friends. His extensive travels included trips with his wife and many family members, as well as in the company of several biking, hiking and kayaking groups to which he was deeply dedicated, including meet up group ROAM.

Closer to home, over the years he also hosted many gatherings and toboggan parties for family and friends. He was a former trustee at the Philbrick-James Library in Deerfield and a member of the NH Organic Farmer’s Association and the Fruit Tree Growers’ Association. He was a member of the local book club taking his wife’s place after her death.

Greg and Wendy were fierce advocates and donors to environmental causes, actively supporting many nonprofit organizations through volunteering and generous contributions to protect and support wildlife and habitat conservation. Greg also volunteered for the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, Amoskeag Fishways Learning and Visitors Center and the Concord homeless shelter.

Greg was a skilled woodworker and was known for his wood-turned creations, including bowls, wine bottle stoppers and Christmas ornaments, which he displayed and sold at the annual Deerfield Arts Tour and crafted for family and friends.

Greg was born June 20, 1947, in Laconia, NH. He was the son of the late Lester and Thelma (Conners) Doane. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1965 and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering.

While retirement granted him the time for the activities, causes and people he loved, Greg also had a long career as an engineer responsible for maintaining hospital diagnostic equipment for multiple hospitals throughout New England.

In addition to his parents and wife, Greg was predeceased by his sister Barbara (Doane) Prehodka of Blairstown, NJ and Chapel Hill, NC; his brother Kevin Doane of Laconia, NH; and brother-in-law Vic Jones of Belmont, NH.

He is survived by sister Ann (Doane) Bell and her husband Gus of Enfield, CT; sister Janice (Doane) Jones of Concord, NH; brother Eric Doane and wife Kimberly of Scarborough, ME; sister-in-law Rebecca Schorr and husband Andrew Clancy of Black Mountain, NC; brother-in-law John Prehodka of Blairstown, NJ and Chapel Hill, NC; his best friend Gregg Pitman and his wife Carla as well as twelve nieces and nephews, along with multiple great-nieces and nephews; many cousins; and countless friends.

A celebration of Greg’s life is currently being planned and will be held in November. Arrangements are through the Cremation Society of NH.