Two distinguished New Hampshiremen died recently, within a fortnight of each other. The state mourns their passing but is better for them having lived here.

Each in his own remarkable way added immensely to the quality of New Hampshire life for their friends, families, employees and untold thousands of others.

John Grappone was a native son of Concord, though his parents were immigrants.

George T. Hamilton was Philadelphia-born but came to New Hampshire for school and never really left (except for wartime service abroad).

In his later years, Grappone walked to work, which was interesting, given that he sold cars for a living.

Hamilton walked to work, too, when among his early jobs were hutmaster for the Appalachian Mountain Club and then a Fish and Game conservation officer. Later, he would run the State Parks Division.

Grappone worked hard, raised a large family and provided jobs for a company that would eventually employ several hundred people.

He participated in community life, helping Concord Little League, the Boston Children's Hospital and the Boys and Girls Club.

As proud as Grappone was of his Italian heritage, so was Hamilton of his Scots' blood. The Gathering of the Scottish Clans is better for his involvement.

Daniel Webster is reputed to have said, in reference to the Old Man of the Mountain, that in New Hampshire God had hung out a sign that here He makes men.

Grappone and Hamilton were the kind of men of which Webster spoke.