J. Normand Paquette, 72, of 155 Gunstock Hill Rd. Gilford died November 17, 2004 in Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon after a brief illness. He was born, raised and educated in Laconia and lived most of his life in Gilford.
Born on January 28, 1932, he was the son of J. Alfred Paquette and Aurore (Landry) Paquette.
Prior to his retirement he was employed for over 30 years at Pike Industries in Tilton as a purchasing agent. In later years, Norm was a familiar figure throughout the Lakes Region distributing buyer’s guides for Coldwell Banker Steve Weeks Realtors.
Norm was a dedicated volunteer at Bolduc Park in Gilford and the Belknap Mill Society in Laconia. He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and held membership in the Laconia Lodge of Elks.
In his younger years, Norm worked in Stowe and Jefferson VT as a ski instructor and worked on the Ski Patrol. He earned his designation in Vermont as a certified ski instructor. Upon returning to New Hampshire he was the first full-time ski instructor for the Penny Pitou Ski School, and taught for many years at Gunstock Ski Area in Gilford.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Nancy (Weeks) Paquette of Gilford; a son, J. Normand Paquette Jr. of Laconia; three sisters, M. Claire Kiestlinger of Merrimack NH and Daytona Beach FL, Marie E. Varle of Manchester NH and Patricia M. Paquette of Laconia; several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were in the Simoneau & Lambert Funeral Home, 139 Church St. Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave. Monday at 11:30 AM. Rev. Adrien Longchamps, pastor was the celebrant. Burial followed in St. Lambert Cemetery. For those who wish, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Youth Trust Fund, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia NH 03246.