Newbury, NH – Harold A. LaValley passed away peacefully at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, N.H., on May 19, 2026, at the age of 94-and-a-half. He was surrounded by members of his large and loving family. He leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Geraldine; his daughters, Nancy (Larry) Huot, Lori Barnes, Jodi (John) Miskowiec; his son, Steven (Jessy) LaValley; nine grandchildren, Bryan (Fran) Huot, Erin (Robert) Nicoletti, Jayna (John) Hooper, Renee (Randy) Feather, Tracy Huot, Kirt Barnes, Andrew (Holly) Miskowiec, Elena (Frank) Miskowiec, Daniel (Lindsy) Huot; and thirteen great-grandchildren, with the fourteenth expected soon. He was predeceased by his parents, Harold J. LaValley and Eunice (Putnam) Gladue, as well as his beloved siblings, Edwin and Pearl.
Harold was the founder and CEO of LaValley Building Supply. The company was a labor of love that he started alongside his wife in 1962. For 64 years, never a day went by that Harold wasn’t either at the office or drawing up business plans. Until the very last hours of his life, his mind continued dancing with numbers, forecasting future action, and recalling with warmest regard all the wonderful people he had worked with over the years. His only regret was not being able to thank each one personally.
Harold was born on November 7, 1931, on Palmer Street in Claremont, N.H. He was a member of the Stevens High School class of 1950, then received his bachelor’s degree from Bryant College in Providence, R.I., in June 1952, after completing an accelerated program in Business Administration. On June 7, 1953, Harold married Gerry (Kittredge).
Harold developed enthusiasm for the lumber industry in 1954, when he built his own house. After working in the plumbing and heating department at Montgomery Ward, he went to work from 1955-1962 for Hadley Lumber. He later started his own lumber business, incorporating manufacturing.
On April 14, 1962, the business that would become LaValley Building Supply opened its doors on Sunapee St., in Newport, N.H. Today, with 600 employees and 13 locations throughout N.H. and Vt., LBS has become one of the country’s largest independently-owned suppliers of building materials. Harold was always grateful to his wife, his family, his employees, as well as the communities he served for their faithful support.
Harold served as finance chairman for the Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corporation, as well as LMC’s Chairman of the Board. After moving with his family to Newport in 1967, he served on the hospital and planning boards. He was a member of the steering committee for the Maple Manor Elderly Housing, and he was an energetic supporter of recreational initiatives. In 1974, Harold was proud to help lead the development of the town’s Athletic Recreation Complex, which brought tennis courts, a football field, and a track to community lands adjacent to Newport High School. In 1976, he helped to bring a 30-meter ski jump from Lake Placid to Newport’s ski jumping hill.
Harold’s desire always to “try to do his part” when it came to “anything for the enjoyment of the people in the community” was exemplified in his efforts to make Newport’s new community center a reality in 2025.
A memorial service for Harold will be held at the LaValley Family Community Center on Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Newport Recreation” at the LaValley Family Community Center, 17 Meadow Rd., Newport, N.H. All contributions will go specifically to the center’s fund to sustain ongoing recreational programming.
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