Harding C. Sortevik

Harding C. Sortevik, 92, former longtime resident of Amherst, NH, died on October 30, 2013 at Bedford Hills Nursing Home, Bedford, NH, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Newton,MA on May 3, 1921 to Marinius and Theresa (Moore) Sortevik. He was a graduate of Boston English High School and Bentley University. Mr. Sortevik made his home in Amherst, NH for more than 45 years and formerly resided in Weymouth, MA. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lt. (jg) on LST 23 in the Pacific theatre. He participated in the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, and Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines. Prior to retirement, he was employed for 34 years as a district manager with the New England Telephone Company. While living in Amherst he volunteered much of his time serving on numerous boards and committees including, Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Committee, Deputy Director of Civil Preparedness, a member of the Ways & Means Committee, a Library Trustee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Souhegan Valley Nursing Association. He and his wife Marion were Amherst Citizens of the Year in 1984. In addition, they loved ball room dancing. Mr. Sortevik was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Roger. His family include his wife of 63 years, Marion (McPhail) Sortevik of Bedford, NH; two sons, Terrance Sortevik and his wife Lisa of Kingsland, TX, and Paul Sortevik of Effingham Falls, NH; two daughters, Susan Richardson and her husband, Royal of Chester, NH and their children, Kelsey & Andrew Richardson, Laurie Sortevik of Pembroke, NH and her children, 1st Lt. Colby Sortevik and his fiancé, Emily Thurston, and Jennifer Cheney. Visiting hours are on Tuesday, November 5th from 4:00-8:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 am in the funeral home. Burial will be private in Meadowview Cemetery, Amherst, with military honors. Donations in his memory may be made to Share Outreach, Inc., 1 Columbus Avenue, Milford, NH 03055 or the Amherst Town Library, 14 Main Street, Amherst, NH 03031.