Vance Spaulding

Vance Spaulding, 76, of Bedford, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026. He was the husband of the late Suzanne (Duhaime) Spaulding, with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage.

Vance was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, on October 8, 1949, to the late Kenneth Clarence Spaulding and Florence Catherine Adams. He moved to Bedford in 1975, where he and Sue built their home and raised their family.

Vance earned an Associate's Degree in Architecture and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from UMass Lowell. His career included positions with Isaac & Isaac and Public Service of New Hampshire, where he worked on the high-voltage transmission infrastructure that serves the Northeast. He later owned and operated his own contracting company, VAST Improvements, and worked as a Construction Superintendent for ARENCO and Stenbeck Design.

In 1969, Vance enlisted in the United States Navy, beginning a 34-year military career that included four years of active duty and 30 years in the Naval Reserve. During his active service, he sailed the Mediterranean aboard the USS Little Rock (CLG-4). He rose through the enlisted ranks to Chief Petty Officer before being commissioned as an officer. He ultimately attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his Naval Reserve service, he served in the Civil Engineer Corps (SeaBees) and deployed to Panama during Operation Just Cause. He retired after 34 years of combined military service.

Vance was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed working with his hands and solving problems. He spent decades building and improving his home and restored two MGB sports cars from the ground up, one for each of his sons. He also had a lifelong interest in military history, particularly World War II naval ships and aircraft, an interest he passed down to his grandson Aidan. He enjoyed visiting museums, memorials, and historic sites, including Pearl Harbor.

He was also an avid photographer and took great pleasure in documenting family gatherings, holidays, celebrations, and everyday moments. His photographs preserved countless memories for generations of his family and friends.

Vance and Sue shared a lifelong connection that began when they met as children. They married on September 4, 1971, and shared a deep and enduring love throughout their marriage.

Vance was preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne (Duhaime) Spaulding; his parents, Kenneth Clarence Spaulding and Florence Catherine Adams; his brother, Kent Spaulding; his mother-in-law, Beatrice Dion; his father-in-law, Louis Alphée Duhaime; and his sister-in-law, Jo-Ann Stone (Duhaime).

He is survived by his sons, Trevor Spaulding and his wife, Melissa, and their daughters, Ann-Elise and Mariella; and Aaron Spaulding and his partner, Laura Goodwin, and their son, Aidan Spaulding. He is also survived by six siblings-in-law and thirteen nieces and nephews, as well as many extended family members and friends who were an important part of his life.

Vance was known for his willingness to help others and his ability to fix nearly anything. He was a caring father, grandfather, uncle, friend, father figure, and mentor, and his home was often a gathering place for family and friends. He will be remembered for his generosity, his practical nature, his sense of responsibility, and the many ways he supported the people he loved.

SERVICES: Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Lambert Funeral Home, 1799 Elm Street, Manchester, NH from 4-7 p.m.. A funeral service will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026, at First Congregational Church, 508 Union Street, Manchester, NH at 11a.m.. Interment with military honors will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy., Boscawen, NH beside Sue at 11a.m..

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at donorservices.Alzheimer's Association in honor of Vance and Sue.

For online condolences, please visit www.LambertFuneralHome.com.