The Rev. Bayard Hancock, who served as an Episcopal priest for 68 years, died on December 3 at his home in Campton, NH. He was 91.

Born in Passaec, NJ, Bayard was a graduate of Hobart College in Geneva, NY, and Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, CT. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1952.

Bayard was the elder priest in the Diocese of New Hampshire, serving there for 55 years. After serving Church of the Holy Spirit in Plymouth, NH, for 30 years, he retired in 1990. He also served Episcopal parishes in Allendale, NJ; Kingston, RI; and Ashland, NH. He served on many diocesan committees and was a delegate to three General Conventions.

Bayard was involved in many community organizations, including the Red Cross, the Plymouth Area Community Closet, the Matching Funds Dental Program, Gardens for All, the Campton Area Resource Center, and Rotary. Bayard was especially concerned with making services available to families and individuals most in need.

Bayard was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Phyllis Riess Hancock, who died in 2013; and their infant daughter Barbara Dale. He is survived by his daughters Janet of Burlington, VT, Paula of Campton, NH, Carol of Fairfax, VA, and son Lee (Katy) of Hopkinton, NH; his sister Virginia of Wellborn, FL, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.