Bernard J. (Ben) Mooreage 65, of Hanover, NH died unexpectedly on February 3, 2013. Ben was born in 1947 in Washington, DC and grew up in Washington and Maryland with his parents, Irene Harriet (Barranger) Moore and Bernard Francis Moore (both of whom predeceased him), two brothers, Michael E. Moore and Donald J. Moore and a cousin Raymond E. Campbell. He was a graduate of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, MD. Ben's love of travel stemmed from his early years with his family who spent many summers traveling to the Jersey Shore and other places.

After high school, Ben left for New England to go to college. He first attended Berkshire College in Lenox, MA, where he was a member of the basketball team, an experience that was the source of many amusing stories and proud moments. He later graduated from Gordon College in Wenham, MA and went on to graduate with a M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Ben married Lynn (LeClair) Moore in Windsor, VT in 1972. Despite living in two different states, they remained the best of friends and had just embarked on a new business venture together at the time of Ben's death.

Ben spent all of his adult life in northern New England. After working for several years in youth ministry work, Ben returned to his first love, the visual arts. He attended graduate school at Syracuse University's School of Art and Design and was a partner in Tonseth-Moore Design Company in the Upper Valley for a number of years. Following the death of his business partner, he went to work for Imperial Company, Inc., where he served as Art Director for many years. Following his retirement, Ben became increasingly involved in promotion of the arts, and of jazz music in particular. He served as the Art Director for jazz pianist, Marcus Roberts, for the past two years.

Ben was a man of great talent, love, and kindness. He was a gifted artist, writer, and poet and loved nature and the arts. He was a big college basketball fan and loved going to local high school games to support the children of his friends when they played. Ben was dedicated to helping people and had many, many friends who loved him. And he felt blessed to have many wonderful neighbors.

Ben traveled and hiked extensively. He and Lynn traveled with friends to Peru, Honduras, Scotland, and many other places, and took a memorable cross-country road trip. With good friend John Douglas and others, he hiked in the Everglades and extensively in the southwestern U.S. His travels brought him much joy, lots of pictures, and many stories to share.

Ben will be greatly missed by all of us he leaves behind, including Lynn L. Moore (of West Roxbury, MA), Michael E. Moore (of Upper Marlboro, MD), Donald J. Moore (of Martinsburg, WV), Raymond Campbell (of Knoxville, TN), his nieces Andrea McGee and Courtney Whited, his nephew James Moore, twelve grandnieces and nephews, his dear friends John Douglas and Joan Waltermire (of Vershire, VT), and many, many other friends.

Donations will be collected to create a special music project dedicated to Ben's memory by his close friend, pianist Marcus Roberts. Donations may be made payable to "Jazz at Lincoln Center" and mailed to either Lynn Moore (73 Dwinell St, West Roxbury, MA 02132) or John Douglas (985 McIver Road, Vershire, VT 05079). Checks will be deposited as soon as this special account is set up.

To honor Ben's love of the outdoors, a celebration of his life will be held in the spring. The time of this celebration will be announced.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.