Arthur H. “Jim” Chickering, 88, a lifelong resident of Westmoreland NH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Cheshire Medical Center in Keene with his sister Sally by his side.
He was born on January 13, 1934, to the late Alice (Herrick) and Samuel Chickering in Walpole. Jim was educated locally, attending Keene High School and attended Thompson School of Agriculture.
On February 22, 1958, Arthur married Elizabeth A. “Betsy” Whitehouse. They had a simple service with their family and friends at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Keene. They have been married for the past 64 years.
He owned and operated Chickering Farms Incorporated until his death, a generational family farm dating back to the Revolutionary War.
He was an excellent cattleman and horseman. Jim loved raising, dairy cattle both Holstein’s and Jersey’s. His diverse love of horses included racehorses, pulling horses, quarter horses, and breeding Morgan horses. He enjoyed going to cattle auctions, horse races at the Hinsdale Raceway, and horse shows. Later in life, Jim was passionate about his herd of Angus cows. He loved his life as a farmer and willingly shared his knowledge to help anyone with a sick animal and his advice was sought out by many. He was a good steward of the land.
In recent years he partnered with the Monadnock Conservancy to preserve close to 400 acres of farmland that will never “grow houses.” Jim quietly helped many people better their future. He was a good friend and neighbor and was loved by all. He will be greatly missed.
Mr. Chickering is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Chickering of Walpole, their four children, Andrea A. Sawyer and husband Sheldon of Walpole, Arthur H. Chickering III of Westmoreland, Alison M. Chickering of Walpole, and Charles S. Chickering of Walpole. He is also survived by his three siblings, Adeline Olmstead of Westmoreland, Brenda Chickering Kelly of Winchester, and Sally Ann Chickering of Westmoreland, along with his six grandchildren Adam Welch, Hanna Welch, Joanne Chickering and husband Ken Leach, Chelsey Croteau, Jessica Chickering, and Suzanne Chickering. Along with his three great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Arthur is now at home with the Lord, with his parents, his siblings, Madelyn Snyder and Samuel Chickering, and his grandson Justin Mack.
A private graveside burial will be in the family lot at the North Cemetery in Westmoreland, NH. 03467. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thomas P. Fairchild 4-H Dairy Endowment. 4H Foundation of New Hampshire Taylor Hall UNH 59 College Road Durham, NH, 03824. A Celebration of Life service will be at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 23, 2022, and will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church 100 Maple Ave Keene, NH 03431.
All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH.03431. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.
