Brendan Afton Getchel

Springfield, NH- Brendan Afton Getchel, 85, died Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

He was born October 11, 1940, in Morrisville, VT a son of Milford and Isabelle (Rich) Getchel. Brendan spent most of his youth in orphanages first in Vermont and later outside of Boston. He enlisted in the US Air Force as soon as he was of-age and served four years before being honorably discharged. He returned to the Boston area for a time before settling in Connecticut. He was married to Katherine Murphy August 24, 1985, in Weathersfield, CT. They made their home in Middletown, CT until 2013 when they moved to Springfield, NH where they have lived since.

Brendan enjoyed woodworking in his free time as well as competitive shooting at the Mattabassett Rifle and Pistol Club in Berlin, CT.

He was predeceased by a brother, Richard LaFountain and two sisters, Cheryl Forchak and Mae Goodreau.

Brendan is survived by his wife of forty years, Katherine of Springfield, NH; a daughter, Rayna Bishop (Timothy) of Reading, VT; two sons, Michael Getchel (Devon) of Berlin, CT and Brendan P. Getchel (Karen) of Boaz, AL; four grandchildren, Thomas, Nicholas, Caroline and Grace as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Condolences to Brendan’s family may be made in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com