Paul Nelson Darling , 96, of Woodsville, N.H., died peacefully in his sleep Nov. 1, 2006, at Cottage Hospital. His constant friend and advocate, Vickie Wyman, was by his side. A son of John R. and Filette G. (Leete) Darling, Paul was born in Bradford, Vt., on Sept. 28, 1910, and had eight brothers and sisters. His family moved to the Currier Hill Farm in Topsham, Vt., around 1914 and Paul attended the Four Corner School for six years. He went to high school at St. Johnsbury Academy, graduating third in his class in 1929. After graduation, Paul went to work in the accounting department at General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., and in November of that year, he became the first person in the United Stated to win an appointment to West Point on a competitive exam. It was always a great disappointment to him that he could not accept the appointment as he did not pass his physical. Due to the stock market crash, his position was terminated at GE in June 1930, and for the next six years, Paul worked as a logger, farm hand and truck driver. In November 1936, along with his partner Susie Hood, Paul purchased the family farm on Currier Hill in Topsham, and in April 1938, Susie and Paul were married. In 1940, due to a need for money, Paul worked as a customs inspector at Richford, Vt., and Susie ran the farm. By December of that year they were able to pay of the farm mortgage. During the 1940s, Paul served as moderator and auditor for Topsham and was also on the ACP Orange County Committee. In the summer of 1946, Paul and Susie purchased the Chamberlin Farm on Monroe Road in Bath, N.H. After extensive remodeling to the barn in 1948, they sold the Topsham farm and moved their Guernsey herd to the Bath farm. During the 1950s, they joined the Wethers farm to their Bath holdings. Paul served on the ACP Grafton County Committee, and also on the Grafton County FHA Loan Committee. In May 1960, due to ill health, they sold the farm to Paul and Elaine Bedell, and built a new house down the road a bit. In May 1961, Paul began a new career as an on-the-road salesman for Stoddard Implement Company, the John Deere dealer. He continued this work for 18 years until retirement, working summers and spending winters in Florida, near Okeechobee. Susie Darling died on Jan. 26, 1997. Paul continued to be active in the community and was instrumental in getting the Horse Meadow Senior Center up and running by identifying the site and serving as one of the principal fund-raisers. He was a member of the East Corinth Congregational Church for 81 years. Paul is survived by two sisters, Kay Brown Martin of Woodsville, N.H., and Josephine Fraser, of Upland, Calif.; a brother, Philip Darling of Fort Mill, S.C.; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at 11:30 a.m., at the East Corinth Congregational Church, East Corinth, Vt. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the East Corinth Congregational Church, P.O. Box 1086, East Corinth, VT 05040; or to the Horse Meadow Senior Center, P.O. Box 249, North Haverhill, NH 03774.