BLIVEN DAVID M

MAJ David M. Bliven was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/05/2017 at the age of 78.8
Goffstown, NH
Flight Class 62-8
Date of Birth 05/05/1938
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 114 AVN in 63-64
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Major David Merritt Bliven, 78, U.S. Army retired, of Goffstown, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2017, at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester.

David was born in Worcester, Mass., on May 5, 1938, son of the late David P. and Hazel (Merritt) Bliven. At an early age, David and his family relocated to Manchester where he attended local schools. He graduated in 1961 from the University of New Hampshire, having earned the rank of lieutenant in the ROTC program.

He served his country piloting armed helicopters with the 114th Aviation Company (Knights of the Air) in the early years of the Vietnam War. He earned many citations, including the Purple Heart, and attained the rank of major before injuries caused him to retire in 1970.

He umpired youth baseball and was a firearms instructor with the New Hampshire Hunter Safety Division for several years. He also enjoyed hunting and gunsmithing and over the years maintained a remarkable flower and vegetable garden.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Joan (Prindiville) Bliven in 1972.

David is survived by his wife, Laura (Trask) Bliven, one son, Daniel M. Bliven and his wife, Michele, and grandson, Jacob Bliven, all of Goffstown.

Other family members include step-children Carolyn (Henry) Boulanger and Marlene (Steven) Kukla of Manchester, William Soucy, Jr. of Goffstown, George Soucy and partner, Heather Tierney of Dalton, Mass., Laurent (Ellen) Soucy of Bedford, and Gilbert (Irene) Soucy of Milford and several step-grandchildren.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Donald Bernard and the entire staff at the Manchester VA Hospital, to his many friends at the Vet Center in Hooksett for their comradeship and encouragement, and to Hackett Hill Healthcare Center and Catholic Medical Center for the excellent care provided to David over the last several months.

A private service was held on March 9, 2017 at Phaneuf Funeral Home in Manchester, followed by interment with military honors at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.

Published in Union Leader on Mar. 10, 2017

Burial: New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA

Burial information: New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen

This information was last updated 03/11/2017

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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025