Richard Greville Verney
Bennington, NH – Richard Greville Verney, 79, of Bennington, NH,
passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025, surrounded by family. He
was born on August 24, 1946, in Providence, RI, to Gilbert and
Virginia (Piggott) Verney.
Richard attended St. George’s School in Newport, RI, and graduated
from Brown University in 1968. On August 26, 1967, he married Dorothy
Howard of Kalamazoo, MI, with whom he shared a loving partnership for
nearly six decades.
He began his career at Monadnock Paper Mills in 1969 as a management
trainee and succeeded his father as CEO in 1978. Under his leadership,
Monadnock-the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United
States-entered a new era of innovation, specializing in sustainable
and specialty papermaking. He led the company’s expansion into
emerging markets and product lines while championing environmental
responsibility, technical excellence, and long-term reinvestment.
In 1998, he established Monadnock Non-Wovens in Mt. Pocono, PA, to
meet growing demand in the healthcare, filtration, and consumer
sectors. During his tenure, Monadnock earned numerous industry
certifications and honors, including a Platinum EcoVadis Rating in
September 2024-placing the company among the top 1% globally for
environmental, social, and ethical performance. Above all his
professional achievements, Richard remained most devoted to the
well-being of his employees and the vitality of his local community.
Both companies remain privately held and family owned.
Richard gave generously of his time, leadership and resources to
organizations that reflected his values. He served as a Trustee of St.
George’s School for 25 years, including as Chairman of the Board from
1985 to 1989, and remained an Honorary Trustee thereafter. He joined
the Board of Trustees of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation in
1994, serving for 20 years-including ten years as President-and was
named Trustee Emeritus in 2014 for his leadership in preserving the
island’s natural environment.
He was a Trustee of Monadnock Community Hospital from 1993 to 2000,
and of the Crotched Mountain Foundation from 1974 until his passing,
supporting programs for individuals with disabilities. Richard also
served on the Board of Directors of the Business & Industry
Association of New Hampshire from 1991 until his death, including on
its Executive Committee from 1998 to 2004.
In recognition of his lifelong commitment to service and leadership,
the University of New Hampshire awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of
Humane Letters in 2009. He also held numerous leadership roles in the
paper and forest products industry, including multiple chair positions
over two decades with the American Forest & Paper Association, where
he served on the Board of Directors from 1991 to 1998.
Richard loved the sea, having spent childhood summers on Nantucket
and, in recent years, extended visits with family on Little Gasparilla
Island in southwestern Florida. He was an avid fresh- and saltwater
fisherman and especially cherished time on the Grand Cascapedia River
in Quebec. He was a lifelong member of the Nantucket Yacht Club and
the Wharf Rats Club.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Valerie Dill Verney.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy; his four children:
Virginia Lucarelli of Telluride, CO; Liz Verney of Lyme, NH; Heather
Wyman of Appleton, ME; and Eric Verney of Nantucket, MA; and eight
cherished grandchildren: Thea and Caroline Lucarelli, Hannah and Addie
Smith, Claire and Lucas Wyman, and Jimmie and William Verney. He is
also survived by his sister, Lumina Greenway of Andover, MA, and his
brother, Geoffrey Verney of Nantucket, MA.
His unwavering support for his family and friendsยand his sense of
humorยwill be missed by all who knew him.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00
to 7:00 PM at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough,
NH.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00
PM at All Saints Church, 51 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH. A
celebration of Richard’s life will immediately follow at the Monadnock
Country Club, 49 High Street, Peterborough, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s
name to the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, St. George’s School in
Newport, RI, or the Monadnock Community Hospital-fitting tributes to a
man whose life was devoted to leadership, conservation, education, and
community.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit
Richard’s tribute page at www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.