Notable New Hampshire Deaths: Former Laconia Mayor, Canobie Lake Park Co-Owner

Remembering the lives of community leaders, educators, and business owners across the Granite State

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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This article from InDepthNH.org highlights the recent passing of several notable individuals from across New Hampshire, including a former mayor of Laconia, the co-owner of Canobie Lake Park, and a variety of educators, veterans, and community leaders.

Why it matters

These obituaries provide a window into the lives of some of New Hampshire's most impactful residents, showcasing the diverse contributions they made to their local communities through public service, entrepreneurship, education, and more. Their passing marks the end of an era for many of these long-standing institutions and organizations.

The details

The article covers the deaths of 15 individuals from across New Hampshire, including Laura T. Berni, co-owner of Canobie Lake Park; Willam Francis Childs, a longtime art teacher; Louis Anthony Datilio II, who founded a gymnastics program at UNH and several schools across the state; Helen T. Emma, an elementary school teacher; Paul Thomas Fitzgerald, a Laconia mayor and lawyer; and Rev. Elizabeth Arlene Little French, a pastor in Concord.

  • The deaths occurred between February 3 and February 10, 2026.

The players

Laura T. Berni

Co-owner of Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire, who was inducted into the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame in 2004.

Paul Thomas Fitzgerald

Laconia lawyer who served two terms as mayor of Laconia and later chaired the Laconia Police Commission.

Rev. Elizabeth Arlene Little French

Pastor of Webster Congregational Church from 2001 to 2011, as well as a former secretary to the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, bank teller, and real estate agent.

Louis Anthony Datilio II

Founder of the New Hampshire Academy of Artistic Gymnastics and Sport, who helped establish UNH's gymnastics program and opened several gymnastics schools across the state.

Helen T. Emma

Elementary school teacher who worked at Wilton Elementary School and Mason Elementary School, and was a consultant to the Society for Developmental Education.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

These obituaries highlight the lasting impact that community leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs can have on their local communities, even long after they've passed on. Their legacies live on through the institutions, programs, and values they helped establish and uphold.