Epsom-  Gordon W. Elkins, 88, left this earth, April 26, to join his beloved wife Joan...the woman he had loved for 63 years.  He was born August 16, 1929, in Concord NH, son of John H Elkins and Sybil (Corson) Elkins. He spent his younger years in Concord and Loudon.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, most always bagging his deer on the 1st day of the season. He proudly served his country, in the Army Air Force, and was a member of the American Legion post in Epsom NH.  After his service, he went to work for Cook Tree Service, trimming trees along the utility lines.  While working in Northwood, a chance stop at the Ridge Store for lunch, he set his eyes on a beautiful blue eyed girl, the store keepers daughter, Joan, who would later become his wife. They married May 28, 1955.  They bought the house down the road from Joan's parent's house, and that road was later to become Elkins Road.  After working for a time at the Eastman's Foundry, in Concord, he went to work for the Concord Electric Company. To the other linemen, he was called "Hoagy", and he donned his hooks and climbed the utility poles, until CECo bought their 1st bucket truck. Later on, he would become the foreman of his own truck, he named the "Super" truck, and sported the SUPER MAN S logo, on the grille. He loved his job, and worked for Concord Electric for 37 years. He enjoyed snowmobiling with his wife, and they had many excursions, with their friends.
He took his family on Camping trips throughout NH and Maine, from the beach to the mountains. He was a member of the Pahagans Mens Club, where he and his family spent many summers camping at the club's campsite on the Soucook River. He played softball, and could throw a mean horse shoe, and was always ready for a good Cribbage game. He was a member of the re-enactment group "How the West Was Fun" where he played the part of the Sheriff and the group performed at the Hopkinton Fair, nursing homes and other venues. He and his wife volunteered as chaperones, for the 4H club, the Gilmanton Gallopers, at the NH State 4H Horse Show at the Deerfield Fairgrounds, where his granddaughters showed their horses. And Gordon was most happy, when he would head out to the woods, wielding his chainsaw, where he would cut his winter cordwood, on his land where he knew every tree and rock, on the property.  After retirement, he bought a home in Barefoot Bay, FL, where he and his wife would spend their winters, coming home to Epsom for the summer months. In 2008, he lost his beloved wife of 53 years, and moved to Chichester, to live with his daughter and family. And once again he would enjoy camping, when he decided to get a seasonal campsite, at Great Meadow Campground, where he loved riding around the campground on his scooter, in search of anyone who would play a game of cribbage. And he loved participating in the "Pub Crawls" the campers would put on. He was camping at Great Meadow Campground, when his health took a turn, and from there he went to reside at the Epsom Healthcare Center. And by far, the most important job he ever held was the job of a generous and loving Grandfather, and Great Grandfather.

He was predeceased by a brother John Elkins of Concord, a sister, Madeline (Elkins) Drew of Chichester, his wife, Joan (Shaw) Elkins, of Epsom and his daughter-in-law, Patriciia Elkins of Portsmouth.  He is survived by his brother, William Elkins and wife Carole, of Pittsfield and sisters Sally (Elkins) Feathers, of Concord and Mary Lee (Elkins) Seibert, of Contoocook.

He leaves his children, daughter Jane (Elkins Volpe) Stock and her husband Gary Stock,of Chichester, NH. And sons, Paul G Elkins of Portsmouth, and James M Elkins and his wife Michelle (Pothier) Elkins, of Hobe Sound, Florida.

He leaves his grandchildren, Victoria M. Volpe, of Pittsfield.  Captain (USAF) Carrie J Volpe, of Osan AFB, South Korea.  Boomer (Dennis) Volpe and his fiancée Nikki McAlister, of New Durham, NH. Andy Hirko and his wife Kristy of St Augustine Florida, Lyndsay (Hirko) Bouzakine and her husband Tony, of Portsmouth NH and Toran J Elkins and partner Cristina Pisciotta, of Stuart Florida, and Ashley Elkins of Hobe Sound Florida.He also leaves great grandchildren, Kennedy Bouzakine of Portsmouth NH, Scarlet Elkins, of Stuart Florida, and "GranDad's" scooter Chauffeur, Slap Jack partner, and best buddy, Zave (Xavier Gordon) Volpe, of Pittsfield NH.

A Celebration of Gordon's Life will be held later this summer, with burial at the New Hampshire State Veteran's Cemetery in Boscowen NH. Date and time to be announced at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gordon Elkins name to:

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension 4H Foundation of New Hampshire, 180 Main Street/Moiles House Durham, NH   03824-2536

Care of the Elkins family has been entrusted to J S Pelkey Funeral Home