Meredith-Norman J. Clement, 87, of 89 Skyview Circle, Meredith, died peacefully on March 23, 2011, at the Belknap County Nursing Home surrounded by his family.
He was born June 11, 1923, in Milton Mills, N.H.,to Ralph and Catherine (Hannagan) Clement. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1940, and joined the U.S.Army serving with the Calvary in Burma.
He was married to the late Rowena (Fitzpatrick) Clement of Laconia. After the death of his wife, he spent many years with his long-time companion, Jane Lessard, of Lakeport, until her passing in 2004.
Norm was well known in the Lakes Region. He was very active in the community belonging to various clubs and organizations.
He was a car salesman at Irwin Motors in Laconia for 25 years and earned many prestigious awards. He was also a licensed realtor and broker and owned and operated Winona Valley Realty for many years. Taking after his father, he ran the family horse farm in Meredith where he raised Arabian horses. In later years he was employed at Aavid Engineering, as well as Laconia Savings Bank, where he was a courier for 10 years until his retirement in 2007.
Over the years, Norm enjoyed many county fairs throughout New England, where he showed many, fine winning horses. He also loved watching football, golf, horseracing, and especially boxing.
He is survived by his daughter, Gail Barrett, and her husband ,Ken, of Meredith, with whom he made his home, stepchildren; Lynn Sperl of Gilford, Jill Lessard of Belmont, Jane Dalfonse of Concord, Gary Lessard of Hooksett, sisters Myrtle McIntyre of Virginia, and twin sisters Irene Richardson and Eileen Novicki of Florida; a granddaughter Tiffany Drouin and her husband Jeff of Laconia, and a grandson Ryan Simoneau of California; great grandchiklren,Chelsey,Nicholas & Lindsey Drouin & Emma and John Lessard. To them he was affectionately known as "Gumpy". Also, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Rowena, long-time companion Jane Lessard, and his brothers; Ralph Clement Jr. and Frank Riley, and sister; Kathleen "Dolly" Williams, stepsister Gladys Grad, and a grandson Trevor Barrett.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 11:00AM for Norman J. Clement and his sister, Kathleen “Dolly” (Clement) Williams, at St. Andre Bessette Parish, St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, N.H.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Jane G. Lessard Memorial fund c/o LR Scholarship Foundation,PO Box 7312 Gilford,NH 03247-7312 or the NH Humane Society, PO Box 572 Laconia, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.