George “Bud” Maurice Bissonnette, 80, of Laconia passed away on February 15, 2002. He was born on July 5, 1921, the son of Joseph and Georgiana (Fecteau) Bissonnette. George was a lifelong resident of Laconia. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Berthier, Quebec. He and his wife, Lucille (Morin) Bissonnette were married on January 24, 1943.
He served in the Armed Forces, 509th Bomb Group, spending 3 ½ years in the South Pacific. In that capacity, he was with the B-29 group- the group responsible for carrying out the infamous atomic bomb attack on Japan in 1945.
Early on, George was employed by Lougee-Robinson Co., where he utilized his carpentry skills and installed carpeting. He later joined the US Postal Service as a postal carrier, his career spanned 30 years. He retired in 1980.
He became a Cub Scout leader- Sacred Heart Parish Troop #62, volunteering his time from 1956 to 1961. Mr. Bissonnette was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
George was an accomplished athelete. Growing up, he excelled at baseball and hockey. He secured a tryout with the Boston Braves in 1943. Due to an injury, however, he was unable to pursue a career in professional baseball.
George was an avid golfer. In 1960, he won the men’s club championship at the Laconia Country Club. That same day, his wife, Lucille won the club championship in the Women’s Division. A feat which has not been duplicated to this day.
One of George’s greatest passions aside from his wife Lucille was fishing. He enjoyed numerous days on the big lake, during both summer and winter months. More recently, he worked as a volunteer at Piche’s Golf Course in Gilford.
George continued to fill his summer days gardening and golfing with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille (Morin Bissonnette of Laconia; two daughters, Cecile “Tootsie” Genova and her husband Peter Genova of Gilford and Donna Paxton and her husband Bob Paxton of Bedford; a son, Robert Bissonnette of Sarasota, FL; three granddaughters; a grandson; two great grandsons; a brother, Ralph Bissonnette of Laconia; two sisters, Sr. Doris Bissonnette, Sisters of the Assumption of Petersham, MA and Anita (Bissonnette) Morin of Laconia; several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Omer Bissonnette and two sisters, Yvonne Beaule and Irene Curry.
There are no calling hours. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia on Wednesday at 11 AM. Rev. Adrien Longchamps, Pastor will be the celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The Simoneau & Lambert Funeral Home, 139 Church St. is assisting the family with arrangements. David L. Furber and Timothy C. Molan are the funeral directors.