Melvin E. Bowne

Melvin E. Bowne, 72, of Salisbury, also known as Red and The Cannon Man, died Thursday, January 31, 2019 following a period of declining health.

Melvin was born in Danbury, CT on June 21, 1946 to Lawrence and Agnes (Waters) Bowne. He was raised in Bethel, CT until the age of nine when his family relocated to NH. He was drafted into the National Guard and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.

Red was a man of many talents. He co-authored a book titled "The Rangeways of New Hampshire." His mind was clever and inquisitive. He loved being outdoors, fishing, garden tractor pulling with the Sugar Hill Snubbers, and auto racing. He enjoyed learning how things worked, black smithing, and trying to fix things from small engine repair to building and shooting cannons. He was a member of the Captain Morrill's Company, a reenactment troop who loved to attend French and Indian War reenactments as well as Revolutionary War reenactments. He was also a member of the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, served as the town Sexton, the supervisor of the checklist, and volunteer on the Old Home Day Committee.

Melvin is survived by his children, Patrick Bowne and wife Tamara of Dunbarton, and Pamela Bowne of Salisbury, NH; 3 grandchildren, Keagan, Heather, and Shannon; 4 brothers; 4 sisters; Lindon Bowne and wife Helen, Lorna Rogers and husband Byron, Edwin Bowne and wife Beverly, Priscilla Sanborn, Russell Bowne and wife Miriam, Doris Knight and significant other Erland Torrey, Allison Fowley and husband Elmer, Daniel Bowne and significant other Tina Taylor; several nieces, nephews, other extended family members and dear friends.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, February 7th 12:00-2:00pm at the Cremation Society Of New Hampshire, 172 King Street in Boscawen. A Memorial Service will begin at 2:00 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow immediately at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway in Boscawen. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous or Disabled American Veterans (DAV).