Richard W. Petell, 50 of 144 Warren St. died July 6, 2003 in Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon after a brief illness. He was born in Barre. VT on October 2, 1952, the son of Walter and Joyce (Roberts) Petell and had lived in Laconia for most of his life.
He was a graduate of Laconia High School, Class of 1970 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from New Hampshire College. He was employed by the town of Gilford in the Public Works Department for 28 years and currently was serving as the Highway Superintendent. Due to his meticulous, careful planning and building of town roads, he was the recipient of the “Roads Scholar” award.
Mr. Petell was an Army veteran of Vietnam. His many interests included coin and baseball card collecting, woodworking, fishing and golf. He was an accomplished vegetable and flower gardener and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Family members include his wife of 29 years, Alice (Goupil) Petell of Laconia; a son Eric J. Petell and his wife, AnnMarie of Laconia; a daughter, Sharon A. Petell of Medford MA; two grandchildren, Brittany Petell and Caleb J. Petell, both of Laconia; three sisters, Cynthia J. Lloyd of Franklin, Betty J. Thurston of Tustin CA and Linda M. Anair of York Beach ME; two brothers, Bruce J. Petell of Harrisville NH and David A. Petell of Moultonborough NH; many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Lawrence M. Petell in 1970.
Calling hours were in the Simoneau & Lambert Funeral Home, 139 Church St. Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave. Thursday at 10 AM. Rev. Adrien Longchamps, Pastor was the celebrant. Burial followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to the Hematology-Oncology Special Care Unit, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon NH 03756.