Laconia------Roger A. Paquette, a lifelong resident of Laconia, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 20, 2017.
Roger was born on July 23, 1924, in Laconia, the youngest child of Lucien N. Paquette and Albetine (Fortin) Paquette. He was 93 years old.
Roger graduated from Laconia High School in April, 1943. He joined the U.S. Army immediately with many of his classmates. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers, and was stationed in England where he met his future wife. He participated in the D-Day invasion in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and was at Bastogne. His French language skills were very useful in France and he did a lot of interpreting for various officers.
Roger worked as an electrician for Head’s Electric for many years and then at the Laconia State School & Training Center, retiring in 1984.
Roger was a lifelong member of St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church and over the years worked on many committees. He was a scout leader and helped with many fundraisers.
Roger is survived by his wife, of seventy years, Barbara M. (Bushen) Paquette; his five children and their spouses, Roger JF & Linda Kizer- Paquette of Eugene, OR, Gregory E. Paquette of Belmont, and Antony C. Paquette of Laconia; his daughters, Sally P. & John Douglas Dowie, of Gilford, Stephanie A. & Gary Drake, of Laconia.
His three grandchildren and their spouses are, Andrea A. Drake & Brian Contorchick, Allison A. & Brett Williams, and Graham Dowie & Mary Undercoffler. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents he was pre-deceased by his brothers, Thomas, Bertrand, & Albert Paquette; and his sisters, Beatrice Fecteau, Madonna Dunn, Violette Haberland, Lucienne Daoust, and Cecile Gilman.
A calling hour will be held Wednesday, August 23, 2017 from 9:30am to 10:30 am at Saint Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated following calling hours at 10:30am also at Sacred Heart Church.
Burial will be Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 12:30pm at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH with military honors.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels C/O Laconia Senior Center, 17 Church St. Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.