KEENE, N.H. – Kevin S. Hadley, 70, passed away from ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) on July 31, 2026, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H.
Kevin was born on July 7, 1956, in Bellows Falls, Vt., to Ken and Janice (Blake) Hadley. At age 10, after his father died from ALS, the family moved to North Springfield, Vt.
Kevin loved sports, especially baseball, from Little League in North Springfield through high school. He was a standout on both the Cosmos baseball and football teams. More important was his enthusiasm for the games and his unwavering loyalty to his teammates. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1974.
Kevin was an avid Red Sox fan from the time he was a young boy watching the game on TV with his gramp. He was also a big fan of John Wayne, easily reciting lines from all his movies.
Kevin worked at Green Mountain Cabins in Chester, Vt., for a few years before he and his friend, the late John Hall, purchased an old fixer-upper Chevy van. They headed west in 1979, visiting national parks.
He attended Vermont Technical College and received his mechanical engineering degree in 1984. Soon after, he was recruited by AT&T/Bell Labs in North Andover, Mass., where his career morphed into microelectronic sales. This work sent him around the U.S. and overseas. He retired at the age of 59 from a global technology company that manufactured optical communication components.
In 1980, Kevin married Nancy Hadley from Springfield, Vt. They both shared a passion for travel while focusing on their careers. In 1992, they welcomed the birth of their son, Kenny. Over the years they resided in Exeter and Newfields, N.H. They enjoyed traveling, boating, the beach, and family gatherings. Tragedy struck in 2017 when their son, Kenny, succumbed to ALS.
A year later, Kevin and Nancy moved to Beaufort, S.C., where they resided for six years. However, they missed the four seasons and their families. They returned to New England, settling in Keene, N.H., in 2024. Soon thereafter, Kevin was diagnosed with ALS. He was fortunate to be part of a study and research group that offers a treatment to slow the progression of this dreadful, debilitating disease. He received a monthly injection at DHMC under the care of neurologist Dr. Elijah Stommel.
He leaves behind his wife, Nancy, after 45 years; his son, Kenny (predeceased); his sister, Marcia Fontaine; his niece, Morgan Fontaine; and brother Colin (Joanne); and many cousins, extended family, and friends.
Nancy would like to thank the the staff at Cheshire Medical Center, including Dr. El Chami, for the incredible and compassionate care Kevin received.
A celebration of his life will be held Aug. 23, from 12-5 p.m., at Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, Vt.
The family kindly asks guests to wear Red Sox attire to honor and celebrate Kevin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the DHMC ALS Research Center or the ALS.org Association.
Arrangements are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories, www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.