Leonard Francis Menice

Skip Menice of Madison NH & Southampton NJ, passed away on August 31st, 2024  at home with his family by his side.  He was 93.  Skip was born in Taunton Massachusetts on February 26th, 1931 to Anthony Menice and Mary Soares Menice.  Skip was the third of five children: Robert Menice, Eleanor Menice Gay, Rosemary Menice Parker, and Deborah Menice.   He told stories of many fun escapes in his youth with his siblings and friends.  Skip was an exemplary student and went on to college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Upon graduation, Skip entered the US Army as an officer.  He was assigned to the Redstone Arsenal and worked on the Ordnance Guided Missile Program.  Upon his Army discharge he continued his career in the missile defense field, working for RCA in Moorestown, NJ on many Department of Defense contracts.  

In 1958 Skip was introduced to the love of his life, Frances “Frannie” Davies by her cousin Bob Davies.  Skip & Frannie married in 1959 and began moving for Skip’s career.  They moved from California to England to the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, always back to Medford Lakes in New Jersey as their home base.  They added three daughters to the family as they went: Nancy, Valerie, and Jane.    

Skip had many interests other than his work.  He loved to garden and had amazing gardens at the family homes in the Marshall Islands and New Jersey.  He taught himself to play the guitar, piano, and harmonica.  He spoke seven languages.  He taught himself to sail, and when in the Marshall Islands learned to scuba dive and snorkel.  He was a faithful NY Times crossword puzzle aficionado.  He also loved many pets in his lifetime, but none more than his beloved Italian greyhound Luke.   Skip and his wife Fran traveled the country and the world, and were putting miles on their Subaru well into their 80’s.   His happy place was their home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.   

Skip was preceded in death by his beloved wife Frances (nee Davies) Menice. He is survived by his devoted daughters, Nancy Ryan (Rob), Valerie Mather (Jim), & Jane Lill (Ron); his cherished grandchildren, Christopher Haugh (Marry), Heather Galati (Justin), Tori Chapman, Daniel Chapman, Zachary Lill (Lianna), Elianna Lill, Maci Ryan, & his joyful great-grandchildren Alexander, Arabelle, and Joseph Leonard. Skip is also survived by his dear sister, Debbie Menice, a special niece Tanya Davies and many much-loved nieces, nephews, and friends who have been a big part of his life and will miss him immensely.  Skip was a good friend to many during his life. 

The family would especially like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mutassin Basha, Skip’s caregiver for the past year and a half.   Mutassin, you are a beautiful soul. Thank you for your wonderful care of our dad. 

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the BRADLEY & STOW FUNERAL HOME, 127 Medford-Mount Holly Road, Medford, NJ 08055.   Greeting of the family will  begin at 11am.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Gibson Center for Senior Services, PO Box 655, North Conway, NH 03860 or at www.gibsoncenter.org.   Skip and Fran delivered Meals on Wheels into their 80’s for this Senior Center.  

(BradleyStow.com) 

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