HAMPTON FALLS - Eugene A. Heal Jr., 75, a lifelong resident of Hampton Falls, died Thursday Oct. 9, 2003, at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

He was born Sept. 16, 1928, in Hampton Falls, the son of the late Lillian (George) and Eugene A. Heal Sr.

Mr. Heal worked for the Ricci Construction Company, of Portsmouth, as a heavy-equipment operator for 45 years.

He was a veteran of the Korean War era and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a former fire chief and member of the Hampton Falls Volunteer Fire Department, a former New Hampshire state fire warden, a member of the First Baptist Church of Hampton Falls, member of the St. James Lodge No. 102 F&AM, of Hampton, a member of the Hamptons' American Legion Post 35 and was a member of the Bektash Temple Shrine. He enjoyed gardening and was known for his vegetable garden.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He shared nearly 49 years of marriage with his wife, the late Barbara M. (Bower) Heal, who died Aug. 20, 2001.

Family members include two sons, Gordon "Skip" Heal and his wife, Cindy, of Kensington, and Gregory A. Heal and his fiancee, Joyce, of Hampton Falls; three grandchildren, Jamie, Christopher and Krystal; a great-granddaughter, Marissa; his sister, Ada M. Merrill of Hampton and several nieces and nephews.

HEAL – Eugene A. Heal Jr., 75, of Hampton Falls, died Oct. 9, 2003. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church, 3 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls, at 1 p.m. on Monday. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Private burial will be in the West View Cemetery, Hampton Falls. The family requests there be no visiting hours and flowers please be omitted. If desired, donations may be made to St. James Masonic Lodge, c/o Andrew Hirst, 5 Wayside Drive, Exeter, NH 03833-4821 or the Hampton Falls Volunteer Fire Department, 3 Drinkwater Road, Hampton Falls, NH 03844. Arrangement are by the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, Hampton.