Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy
Richard Allen Doyle (“Dickie”), 62, of Sanford, passed away on January 22, 2026, from heart failure.
Dickie was born in San Francisco, California, on August 27, 1963, to Richard A. Doyle and Joanne E. (Herrick) Doyle. After graduating from Timberlane Regional High School, he worked for the Plaistow, NH Highway Department before becoming a certified EMT, serving the Merrimack Valley area.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee Reservist and was a member of Unit RNMCB027 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. While enlisted, Dickie was deployed to the Kosovo conflict as a Corpsman.
Dickie enjoyed fly-fishing streams and lakes with flies he tied himself or scuba diving in open water. In the winter, he enjoyed skiing. He was a lifelong member of the VFW and an active member of Post 935 in Sanford, where he served on the State Honor Guard and as the Post Senior Vice Commander.
Dickie was predeceased by his father, Richard A. Doyle, and his brother, John R. Doyle. He is survived by his mother, Joanne E. Doyle; his sister, Debbie (Doyle) Thompson; his brother David (Jeannette) Doyle and his nieces and nephew,
A graveside service will be held at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH, followed by a celebration of life in the spring of 2026. https://conroytullywalker.com/obits/richard-dickie-a-doyle/
Hazel G. Hilton, 98, formerly of Sanford, passed peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at York Hospital in York.
Hazel was born on November 22, 1927, on her parents’ farm in South Sanford, the daughter of Edward and Ida (Orser) Gavel. She grew up in Sanford and attended local schools, graduating from Sanford High School. Following high school, she continued her education at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, a reflection of her lifelong love of learning and faith.
Hazel married Ray Hilton in 1957. Together they raised two children and shared 27 years of devoted marriage until Ray’s passing in 1985. Hazel was a deeply devoted mother, actively involved in every aspect of her children’s lives. She will be remembered for her faith, kindness, creativity, and the gentle strength with which she lived her life.
A woman of strong and abiding faith, Hazel was a longtime member of Curtis Lake Christian Church, where she served as head of the Women’s Ministries. In her later years, she attended Trinity Anglican Church in Rochester, where she continued to find fellowship and spiritual nourishment.
Hazel dedicated much of her professional life to education. She was a longtime substitute teacher in the Sanford public schools and also taught for several years at Prince of Peace school in Sanford. Hazel had a deep appreciation for nature and was remarkably knowledgeable about wildlife, finding joy in feeding and watching birds and other animals. Though quiet and soft-spoken, Hazel possessed an adventurous spirit that delighted those who knew her best. She embraced life fully, enjoying ziplining, indoor skydiving, and parasailing. She learned to downhill ski at the age of 76 and, at 93, went ziplining at the Grand Canyon—an enduring testament to her courage, curiosity, and joy for living.
Hazel was predeceased by her parents; her grandson, Nicholas Clifton; her son-in-law, Fr. John Clifton; and her siblings, Vaughn Gavel, Wayne Gavel, Galen Gavel, and Alta Gavel. She is survived by her two children, Robin Clifton of Acton and Bradley (Martha) Hilton; nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 7 at Trinity Anglican Church, located at 180 Rochester Hill Road, Rochester, NH. Interment will take place in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred. https://conroytullywalker.com/obits/hazel-g-hilton/
Anthony “Tony” Allen Nevells, age 56, of Sanford, ME; passed away January 15, 2026, peacefully at home surrounded by family after a short, unexpected battle with Stage IV cancer. Tony was born on August 12, 1969, in North Conway, NH, to Virgina (Anthony) Curit and Stanley Nevells.
He grew up in Hiram and attended local schools graduating from Sacopee Valley Junior-Senior High School, Class of 1987. In 1987, he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he would serve the next 12-13 years. Tony had many recognitions for outstanding performances while in the military. He was honorably discharged as an E5 Sergeant in June 2000. He attended Northeast Career Schools and achieved his Professional Truck driving license in 1995 and went to work for several trucking firms: G.W. Jewett, Yarmouth Lumber, J.J. Nissen/Hostess/IBC and Kris Way Trucking. Tony was a very hard worker who always found a job he could be successful at. He worked at Pilkington Glass as a Warehouse Lead person for 10 years. He was working for Hammond Lumber when he was diagnosed.
He was a man that was always happy and so full of life. He was a true jack of all trades. He loved his family so much and his friends and all those that came into his life. You could always find him talking about his wife and kids anywhere he went and how proud he was to have them.
Tony was a devoted father and while raising his kids, even with the many jobs he worked, he always made sure he attended all their school/life events and rarely missed a single one even involving himself whether it was being a soccer coach or a Boy Scout leader for his son Nick, helping with Girl Scouts and attending his daughter’s track meets and so much more. Tony was a wonderful husband to DeBe. They shared a very full life, and what started as a teenage friendship, resulted in marriage making a life worth living. DeBe stood by him to the very end supporting and comforting him and the family. Their life was simple and happy.
Tony is predeceased by his father Stanley Nevells, stepfather Harvey Curit, and sister Tricia Nevells. He is survived by his loving wife DeBe Nevells; his son Nicholas Nevells-McWilliam; daughter Krystal Nevells and boyfriend Timothy Dalton; daughter Stephanie Doty and partner Joshua Doty; stepdaughter Samantha (Randy) Cote and stepson Jefferson Sargent; mother Virgina Curit and partner Terri Jones; his brother Travis (Christina) Nevells; brother David Nevells; and stepsister Tabitha (Todd) Swanson. He also leaves behind two grandchildren he loved and adored so much, along with multiple nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in the coming months in Maine. Once all arrangements have been set, the event will be created on Facebook to notify everyone of the details. A burial ceremony will be held in the spring at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery.
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