Knoxville, TN-Arthur E. Simoneau, 93, formerly of 15 Hemlock Drive, Belmont died peacefully Tuesday morning, July 16th, 2013 at Ben Achley VA Nursing Home in Knoxville, TN after a period of declining health.
Arthur was born in Laconia on April 30, 1920, the 7th son of the late Alfred W. and Henrietta (Blais) Simoneau. He was a graduate of Laconia High School class of 1937. He attended Concord Business College and was a graduate of New England Institute of Anatomy and Sanitary Science in Boston, graduating in February of 1941. He was associated with his father in the funeral profession at the Simoneau and Son Memorial Home from 1937 until his retirement in 1981 as proprietor.
Honorably serving his country Arthur served as a Radar Bombardier Navigator in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII from 1943-1946. He was a former Police Commissioner with the Laconia Police Department, a past King Lion with the Laconia-Gilford Lion’s Club, a past member of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, a former board member of the New Hampshire State Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, a past board member of the New Hampshire Humane Society, and a past board member of the board of directors at Granite Ridge Condominium Association. He had a great love of martial music and light classical music. He often spoke of his earlier years playing in the Laconia Concert Band led by Leo Lemere. He loved animals, especially small dogs.
Arthur was the widower of Margaret “Bee” (Lancaster) Simoneau, and Janet (Ilg) Kupetz Simoneau. He was also predeceased by his brothers Ernest, Leon, Raymond, Roland, and Edgar, and his sister Cecil.
Arthur is survived by two sons, Alfred W. Simoneau of Florida, and retired LtCol Paul D. Simoneau USMC and his wife Ann Marie of Knoxville, TN; two daughters, Carol Simoneau of Florida, and Lisa Tobias and her husband Michael of Highland Village, TX. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held from 4PM to 6PM on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM on Saturday, July 20th, 2013 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia. Burial with military honors will follow in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.
Arthur has requested for those who wish, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia, New Hampshire, 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family of Arthur with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com .