Laconia-----John "Jack" M. Bastraw , 78, of Strafford Street, passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 with his loving family by his side.
Jack was born on March 21, 1939 in Laconia the son of William and Leona Bastraw. He was a lifelong resident of Laconia. He worked in Plumbing and Heating for thirty five years and after retirement Jack was Superintendent of Union Cemetery until 2015.
Jack had a very kind and generous soul and a great sense of humor. Jack enjoyed golfing, reading books about history, spending time in Barefoot Bay, Florida, taking rides, and enjoyed the simple things in life but what he enjoyed most was spending time with family.
He was an amazing husband to his wife, RoseMarie (MacDonald) Bastraw, of Laconia and a fantastic father to his daughter, Patti (Bastraw) Ricks, of Gilford, and to his son, Craig Bastraw, of Laconia. He adored and was adored by his six grandchildren, Benjamin Ricks, Tyler Ricks, and his wife Tracie, Amanda Schnelle and her husband, Doug, Staci French and her husband, Eric, Ian Bastraw and Evan Bastraw and four great-grandchildren, Ciara Ricks, Makayla Ricks, Kelsi French, and Trey-Douglas Schnelle; two brothers, Robert Bastraw, of New Mexico and Richard "Bill" Bastraw, of Laconia; three sisters, Janice "Jody" Barrows, of Arizona, Virginia Filgate, of Winnisquam and Sheryl Gunn, of Weare, and he was loved by many nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by his brother, Edward Bastraw, his sisters, Nancy Lemire, Joanne Cutter and Mary Holland and several nephews and nieces.
Memorial calling hours will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 from 2:00pm- 4:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH using the Carriage House entrance.
A Funeral Service will follow the calling hours at 4:00pm also at the Funeral Home.
Burial will be held in the family plot at a later date in Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia NH.
For those who wish, the family suggests in Jack's memory to perform a random act of kindness to anyone.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go www.wilkinsonbeane.com.