PETERBOROUGH — Earle H. Naglie II, 68, of Peterborough, died on April 12, 2010, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, following a brief illness.

Mr. Naglie was born on May 3, 1941, the son of the late Kenneth N. Naglie and Edna M.H. Naglie.
Although he was born in Manchester, he spent almost his entire life in Peterborough.

He was determined not to allow his medical conditions of epilepsy and diabetes get the better of him, and thus he was an inspiration to those who knew him.

Despite a rather circumscribed lifestyle, he worked with delight in the fields of gardening and farming. Even after he had lost a leg to diabetes, he continued to maintain a large and productive garden of his own each year.

Since 2001 he had been a regular member of the community of friends at the Monadnock Adult Care Center. The family he joined there became the focus of his life. Through the center he began to devise a series of personal goals for himself, and he worked diligently to attain those ends.

His most prominent objective was to obtain a high school diploma. Conditions related to his epilepsy had prevented his completing high school, but with the assistance of a number of caring people, he received an honorary high school diploma, 49 years “late.”

This was one of the proudest moments in his life. He said that he had never given up hope, and his perseverance and his example of determination made this achievement possible.

Another goal he set was to visit his sister and brother-in-law, who live in Georgia. Last September he boarded an airplane and flew down for a two-week visit, during which he saw a lot of that state.

Since farming had been a lifelong interest, he was especially delighted to see vast expanses of farmland in the South. This trip was one of the highlights of his life, since he had never before been south of Massachusetts, nor had he ever flown on an airplane.

He is survived by a sister, Lillie N. Thurman (Rick), of Thomaston, Ga.; a brother, James K. Naglie (Evelyn), of Peterborough; five nieces; three nephews; 13 great-nieces and great-nephews, and four great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

A memorial service is planned for Friday May 14, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Pine Hill Cemetery in Peterborough.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Monadnock Adult Care Center, 22 North St., Jaffrey 03452.

The Cremation Society of New Hampshire in charge of arrangements.