Author Archives: Dana Farwell

John W. Spallone, 86, a Nashua resident for more than four decades and a Korean War veteran, died Wednesday morning, August 1, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on August 9, 1931, a son of the late John B. and Anna (Rossi) Spallone. John graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

John joined the Navy in 1950, where he met his wife, Sally, at Patuxent River, Maryland Naval Air Station. They were married in July 1954.
An avid volunteer throughout his life, John lived by the philosophy “noblesse oblige” which holds to the notion that a person performs service for others, not for gain or recognition, but simply because it’s the right thing to do. He made many lifelong friends through his volunteering efforts.

John was predeceased by his wife, Celeste “Sally” Spallone; his brother Dominic; sisters Josephine, Angela and Louise.

Members of his family include a son, Dr. John W. Spallone, Jr. of San Francisco; two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Tim Zappala of Sunapee, NH and Nancy and Tim Nye of Brookline, NH; five grandchildren, Andrew and his wife Nicole, Sarah and her husband Dr. Richard Rothman, Alex Nye and twins, Eric and Benjamin Nye; a brother, Daniel Spallone and his wife Betty of Waterbury, CT; and a great-granddaughter, Madison.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday evening, August 7th from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be private. Donations can be made to Future in Sight, 25 Walker Street, Concord, NH 03301 or the Nashua Soup Kitchen, 2 Quincy Street, Nashua, NH 03060. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Claire D. Casey, 87, of Nashua, widow of Raymond J. Casey, went home to the Lord Tuesday morning, July 31, 2018 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Casey was born in Manchester, NH on April 28, 1931, a daughter of the late Alfred and Anna (Dubois) Letourneau. During her youth, Claire resided in Gardner, Massachusetts and was educated in schools there. She later made her home in Hudson, NH for many years; then in Merrimack for a time before moving to Nashua.

The great passion of Claire’s life was her relationship with Jesus Christ. Having come a bit later in her years to a heart-transforming faith in Him as crucified and risen Lord, she was eager that all those around her would come to know Him in the same way. Claire spoke frequently and openly about Jesus. She treasured spending time in His presence, so she gave priority to prayer, praise, God’s Word (the Scriptures) and opportunities to gather together with fellow believers. She was confident in the wisdom of God’s commandments and believed expectantly in the trustworthiness of His promises. It is a great comfort to those who knew and loved Claire that she is now fully in the presence of the Savior for whom she lived her life here on earth.

In addition to her parents, Claire was predeceased by her husband Raymond who passed away on December 16, 2001. They were married in Gardner, MA on New Year’s Eve in 1949 and shared nearly 52 years together.
Members of her family include seven children and their spouses, Steven E. and Judy Casey of Nashua, Michael H. and his wife Joan Casey of Naples, FL, Carol L. and Leo Soucy of Nashua, Mary A. Martin of Plymouth, NH, Kathleen J. and Raymond Boisvert of Nashua, Eileen J. Larouche-Pellerin of Derry and Cynthia L. and Paul Bouley of Hudson; twenty-one grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; also many nieces, nephews and cousins. Claire was the youngest of her family and was predeceased by her siblings.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Monday, August 6th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in Tabernacle Baptist Church, 242 Derry Road, Route 102 in Litchfield on Tuesday morning at 10 am. Friends are invited to attend. Private interment will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.

Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Therese G. Sylvain, 100, a lifelong Nashua resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, July 28, 2018 at Aynsley Place in Nashua with her loving family at her side. Therese was the widow of Omer Miller and Roger L. Sylvain.

Mrs. Sylvain was born in Nashua on April 24, 1918, a daughter of the late Napoleon and Alida (Doucette) Begnoche. She resided in the French Hill neighborhood of this city for many years and was educated in local schools. Therese had been employed at the former Whitney Screw Corporation and at Nashua Corporation. She was a communicant of St. Louis de Gonzague Church and the former St. Francis Xavier Church.

Therese loved spending time with and caring for her family. She was a friend to many. She enjoyed traveling, cooking and gardening. Until her eyesight began failing, knitting, crocheting and quilting were her passion. She remained as active as possible until the last few weeks of her life.

In addition to her husbands, Therese was also predeceased by her son, Robert H. Miller, who passed away in February 1990. She was the last survivor of her siblings.
Members of her family include three granddaughters, Pamela Rossbach and her husband Jeffrey of Nashua, Heidi Laliberte and her husband Marcel of Litchfield and Robin Gage of Nashua; six great-grandchildren, Krystle, Erica, Joshua and his wife Heather, Derek, Nicholas and Alexander; two great-great-granddaughters, Alexia and Brooklyn; her daughter-in-law, Marie Rose Miller of Nashua; a step-son, Paul Sylvain and his wife Nola and their family of South Carolina and Maine; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staffs of Aynsley Place and Home Health & Hospice Care for their exceptional care of Therese.

Family and friends are invited to the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Saturday morning, August 4th from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by her Funeral Mass at 11 o’clock in St. Louis de Gonzague Church, 50 West Hollis Street, Nashua. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Donations may be made to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Anne-Marie Messier, 93, of Nashua and York Beach, Maine, passed away Friday evening, July 27, 2018 at the Courville at Nashua.

Mrs. Messier was born in Gosselies, Belgium, on July 31, 1924, daughter of the late Charles and Renee (Jaucot) Toussaint. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Charleroi, Belgium, attended the Dames of Marie, a finishing school in Bruxelles and also studied at the University of Louvain.

A resident of Nashua since April 1946, Anne-Marie had been employed with Hillcrest Restaurants, Inc. which owned and operated the former Howard Johnson’s Restaurant on the Daniel Webster Highway South in Nashua. During her long career of more than 35 years, Mrs. Messier became manager and a part owner of the restaurant until its closing in June 1983.

Anne-Marie was a member of the Nashua Soroptimist Club for a number of years and had been a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital after she retired from Howard Johnson’s. In her leisure time, she enjoyed gardening and making quilts.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Messier was predeceased by a sister, Marie-Therese Toussaint and her husband Jacques Bauthier; four brothers, Jacques Toussaint and his wife Theresa (Cody), Jean-Marie Toussaint, Pierre Toussaint and Philippe Toussaint; and a sister-in-law, Claudie Toussaint.

Members of her family include two daughters, A. Christine Yanco and her husband Philip, and Lauren Rhodes and her significant other Steve, all of Nashua; two granddaughters, Justine Fournier of Newbury, NH and Heather Rhodes and her significant other, John both of Groton, MA; two great-grandsons, Tanir and Nash Fournier of Newbury, NH; a sister, Marie-Christine Bauthier and her husband Pierre of Gosselies, Belgium; a brother, Dr. Charles Toussaint and his wife, Jacqueline of Charleroi, Belgium; two sisters-in-law, Juliette Toussaint of Florennes, Belgium, and Catherine Toussaint of Roly, Belgium; also nieces and nephews.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher Church, 62 Manchester Street, Nashua, Saturday, August 25th at 10 a.m. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in her memory to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, New England Chapter, 72 River Park Street, Suite 202, Needham, MA 02494. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

James E. Sweeney, Sr., 82, formerly of Nashua, passed away peacefully Friday evening, July 27, 2018 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, with his family by his side.

Jim was born on October 2, 1935, son of the late Francis and Evelyn (Frazier) Sweeney. He grew up in Berlin, NH, was a graduate of Berlin High School and attended the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Sweeney was a veteran of the United States Army.

In 1966, Jim married Jeannine D. Barrette and they moved to Nashua, where he went to work for what was then New England Telephone. He remained there through all their various name changes and eventually retired from Verizon in 2006 after 40 years of service.

Jim was a lifelong Boston Bruins fan, loved walking and his daily Dunkin Donuts. He was kind, touched many people, and loved his family dearly. He will be missed by all of us.
Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife, Jeannine, whom we lost much too early in 1985. He was also predeceased by his sister, Caroline; and his brothers, Donald, Richard and Francis.

Members of his family include his son, Jim and wife Kristin, and their daughter Megan; his son, Paul and wife Erin, and their children, Michael, Rebecca, Lauren, Jacob, Ben and Aislinn; his brothers Robert, Thomas (Loron) and Michael Sweeney; as well as the staff and residents of Rosehaven in Merrimack, where Jim resided for several years. The Sweeney family wishes to thank you for all that you have done, you are truly amazing people.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday evening, August 1st from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua, Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Louis Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Helen L. (Markiewicz) McPhie, 90, a native and longtime Nashua resident, passed away Friday morning, July 27, 2018 at the Newton Wellesley Center in Wellesley, MA, after a period of declining health. Helen was the widow of Donald McCleod McPhie.

Mrs. McPhie was born in Nashua on November 2, 1927, a daughter of the late Ludwik P. and Helen A. (Stuczynski) Markiewicz. Educated in local schools, Helen graduated with honors from Nashua High School Class of 1945.

After her graduation she became employed with Improved Machinery, Inc. where she excelled in the position of purchasing agent and playing a management role early on before women at IMPCO had the opportunities they have today to move ahead. She ordered various materials from all over the world to support the paper machinery field.

Helen was an active communicant of St. Stanislaus Church and was a member and Past President of the St. Stanislaus Ladies Guild. After being a full-time mother, she went back to work managing the accounts of St. Stanislaus Church including renting out the various halls and scheduling many grand events.

One of her talents was personal poetry, where she created personal poems for her friends and colleagues. She enjoyed translating Polish and Lithuanian letters from fellow prisoner families still living behind the Iron Curtain at the time. Helen had a close nit group of friends that stayed together since childhood. Most of all, she was a great Mother. Never giving up, never backing down, and not allowing anyone to feel sorry for themselves.

In addition to her parents, Helen was predeceased by her husband Donald, who passed away on December 28, 2010. They met at IMPCO and where married on May 20, 1961, sharing nearly 50 years together. She was also predeceased by a brother, Paul Markiewicz; sister, Lillian Doyle; and a nephew, Edward Doyle.

Members of her family include her daughter, Donna McPhie and her husband Michael Fitzgerald of Waltham, MA; her son, Scott McPhie and his wife Beth McCarthy of Nashua; her granddaughter, Heather Louise Marie McPhie; and two nieces, Cynthia Doyle and Cathy Markiewicz Bisset.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Thursday, August 2nd from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher Church, 62 Manchester Street, Nashua on Friday morning at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in her memory to the Nashua Historical Society, 5 Abbott Street, Nashua, NH 03064. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Paul E. Studer, 85, of Nashua, husband of Estelle J. (Von Beidel) Studer, passed away at his home with family by his side, Monday afternoon, July 23, 2018, after a brief illness.

A resident of Nashua for over 50 years, Mr. Studer was born in Junction City, Ohio on October 3, 1932, son of the late Ernest and Edith (Augustus) Studer. He was a graduate of Junction City High School Class of 1950 and played on the basketball team. During the Korean War, Paul served with the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant and received training in Air Traffic Control from June 1952 to his honorable discharge in June 1956.

Paul began his career as an air traffic controller with Cleveland Air Traffic Control Center in Oberlin, Ohio and transferred to the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center of the Federal Aviation Administration in Nashua in the early 1960s. He was the recipient of many awards for his work with the FAA.

A sports enthusiast, Paul played softball with Nashua Gilbilt Jets softball team in Nashua and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan.

Members of his family include his wife Estelle, whom he married on April 17, 1956 and shared 62 wonderful years together; three daughters, Susan J. Paine, widow of Arthur B. “Arty” Paine, (retired Nashua Firefighter), Nancy Fernandes and her partner Bob Porter, Connie Studer and her wife, Karen Jenkins; three grandchildren, Joshua Bramble, Nikki Fernandes and Jacob Paine and his wife Shannon; also nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers and sister.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Friday evening, July 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be private. Friends wishing to express their sympathy, may send donations in his memory to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Richard Paul “Dick” Pinet, 80, well-known Nashua native and businessman, passed away Saturday afternoon, July 21, 2018 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, after a period declining health.

Born in Nashua on August 19, 1937, he was a son of the late Paul D. and Lucille E. (Lapointe) Pinet. Dick attended the former Sacred Heart School of St. Patrick Parish; was a graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1955 and graduated from the former Nashua Business College. An Army veteran, Mr. Pinet served in the Army Reserves for 33 years and held the rank of Master Sergeant.

Following in the steps of his father and grandfather, Dick was a third generation of his family to work at the former C. H. Avery Company, Inc., a prominent fine furniture store in downtown Nashua, where he was sales manager for 37 years. He later worked for Morin’s Landscaping as a driver and heavy equipment operator for 20 years until his retirement.

In his leisure time, Dick enjoyed trips to Rye Beach and the Maine seashore and gardening at his home.

Members of his family include a son, Steven R. Pinet of Peoria, AZ; a daughter, Deborah Pinet O’Mahony of Nashua; three grandchildren, Alesha Pinet and her fiancée, Kyle Kent of Flagstaff, AZ, Ryan Pinet of Peoria, AZ and Derek O’Mahony of Nashua; two brothers, Alan D. Pinet and his wife Jeanne of Merrimack and Gary B. Pinet of Nashua; his former wife and friend, Marjorie Hebert March; also nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, July 24th from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua, Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in his memory to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Paul Edmond Richard, 91, a lifelong Nashua resident, passed away Tuesday evening, July 17, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at St. Joseph Hospital after a period of declining health.

Born in Nashua on April 1, 1927, he was the son of the late Adrian and Yvonne (Morrissette) Richard. Educated in local schools, Paul attended the former Sacred Heart School of St. Louis de Gonzague Parish and later studied the dry- cleaning business in Maryland. A Navy veteran, he served in the Pacific Theater of operations during World War II.

Paul owned and operated a laundromart in Merrimack for a time and founded Richard’s Cleaners on East Pearl Street in Nashua that he owned and operated for several years. He later worked for Anton’s Cleaners until his retirement.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Paul loved music and dancing and was an avid coin collector. He held membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 483 and the American Legion James E. Coffey Post 3, both of Nashua.

Paul married Agnes Mary Seaman of Nashua on February 15, 1947 and made their home in Nashua where they raised their six children. The couple shared 56 years together until her passing on February 19, 2003. He was also predeceased by two daughters, Karleen Delude in December 1996 and Paula E. Cloutier in March 2010; and a granddaughter, Angela Cloutier in September 2010.

Members of his family include two sons and their wives, Michael S. and Catherine Richard of New Boston and Timothy P. and Halley Richard of North Carolina; two daughters, Alison M. and James Hameline of Allenstown and Jessica A. Spirito and her life partner, David Malburne of Merrimack; a son-in-law, Raymond Delude of Hampton; ten grandchildren, Robert Cloutier, Sarah Cooper, Melinda Towne and her husband Travis, Siobhan Hameline, Jacob Delude, Timothy Richard, Jillian Richard, Joseph Richard, Christopher Spirito and Nicholas Spirito; great-grandchildren, Aly Cloutier, Jamie and Jason Bruce, Eithan Sanzo, Amanda Lyn, Delia Towne, Julia Towne and Dayton Cooper; also nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Sunday evening, July 22nd from 5 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Louis de Gonzague Church, 50 West Hollis Street, Nashua, Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Friends are invited to attend will gather at the church. Interment will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 530 Ne Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Yolande L. Arel, 80, a resident of Merrimack for the past 17 years and formerly of Nashua, widow of Armand O. “Beaver” Arel, passed away Monday evening, July 16, 2018 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, after a brief illness.

Mrs. Arel was born in Newport, Vermont on June 23, 1938, a daughter of the late Harry and Pauline (LeBlanc) Forest. During her youth, Yolande grew up on a farm in North Troy, VT and attended schools there.

Yolande and her husband Armand were married on July 2, 1955 in North Troy, and moved to Manchester, NH. In 1964 they relocated to Nashua and made their home here for many years.
In addition to raising her family, Yolande had worked at Heritage Cleaners at the Nashua Mall for 35 years, then at the Lavoie Farm Stand on Concord Street for 6 years and later as a Nanny for the Lavoie Family of Hollis for 9 years.

Yolande loved to visit and explore Maine and Vermont and many other locations. She enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. She also enjoyed outdoor gardening and most important to her was being a loving and caring Mother and Grandmother. Mrs. Arel was a communicant of the Parish of the Resurrection in Nashua. Besides her parents, Yolande was predeceased by her husband Armand, who passed away October 23, 1989; and a great-grandson, Caleb.

Members of her family include her five children and their spouses, Richard and Cindy Arel, Andre and Sarah Arel, Claire and Dennis LaLiberte, Donna Arel and Barb, and Debbie and Dan Reardon; seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Shannon and her fiancé Mickey, Travis and his fiancée Lindsay, Tim and his wife Sarah, Kim, Tracey and Jeremy, and Amanda; five great-grandchildren, Wesley, Michael, Katie, Hannah and Haley; two step-grandchildren, Emily and Sawyer; two sisters, Lucille Lavoie widow of Ed, and Jean Myers; two brothers, Dennis Forest and his wife Martha and Ronald Forest and his wife Noreen; also several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua on Friday evening, July 20th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Parish of the Resurrection, Saturday morning at 11 o’clock followed by interment in Edgewood Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in her memory to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054 or to the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, NH 03063. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Carl E. Whitmore, Jr., 54, of Nashua, husband of Sandra L. (Horne) Whitmore, passed away Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

A lifelong resident of Nashua, Carl was born on April 7, 1964, son of Barbara A. (Wojtowicz) Whitmore and the late Carl E. Whitmore Sr. Educated in local schools, he was a graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1982. He had been employed as an iron worker and was a member of the Iron Workers Union, Local #7 of Boston, Massachusetts.

Carl will be remembered as a great father and loyal friend and was always there for the people who needed him. He enjoyed spending time at his family’s cabin in Northern New Hampshire; and loved to get together with family and friends and was always the life of the party. In his leisure time, Carl also enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved his dog, “Diesel”.

Members of his family include his wife “Sandy” whom he married in 2000; his mother, Barbara A. Whitmore; his daughter, Taylor Whitmore; his son, Adam Lee and his wife Crystal; his sister, Debbie Lynch and her husband Kevin; and his friend, Ray Bourque of Lowell, MA.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday, July 18th from 4 to 8 p.m. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home, Thursday morning at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Mark E. St. Laurent, 62, of Nashua, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 10, 2018 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack.

A lifelong resident of this city, Mark was born on February 4, 1956, a son of Doris (Roberts) St. Laurent Lustenberger and the late Robert G. St. Laurent. Members of his family include his wife, Lynne A. (Wilkins) St. Laurent, whom he married on March 21, 2008; his mother, Doris Lustenberger; a stepson, Andrew Sevieri; a daughter, Katie Lynn St. Laurent and her fiancé Jason; a granddaughter, Kalaysia; two sisters, Deb St. Laurent and Karen Taylor and her husband Mark; a brother, Robert W. St. Laurent and his wife Monica; his mother-in-law, Joanne Jonsson; his father-in-law, Roy Wilkins and his wife Gail; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mark Wilkins, Tony and Belynda Flynn and Gail and Joe Saunders; also many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

Mark had been employed as a sheet metal finisher at Rapid Sheet Metal for several years. In his leisure time, Mark was an avid woodworker and loved fishing.

His family will receive relatives and friends at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, on Friday afternoon, July 13th from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations may be made in his memory to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, 545 Route 101, Bedford, NH 03110. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Joan Maxine Messier LaFlamme, age 88, wife of the late Albert A. LaFlamme, died on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the Bridges Home in Nashua, surrounded by her loving family. From her birth on August 17, 1929, to her death, she devoted herself to her family, her community, and her education, and was an inspiration to all who knew her.

She was born to Arthur and Juliet (Houle) Messier in Nashua, the youngest of four children. She attended Nashua High School and worked at her family’s business, Messier’s Tire and Garage. She met Albert “Berdie” LaFlamme at a junior high school dance in 1941, where he was the drummer of the band, and rarely left his side after that day. They wrote to each other daily during Berdie’s service in the Navy, and they were married on May 31, 1947, shortly after Joan’s high school graduation. Their sixty-seven year marriage was blessed with enduring love and deep mutual respect.

Berdie and Joan built their home on Williams Street in 1951 and raised eight children there: Philip A. LaFlamme Sr., of Durham, ME; Richard A. LaFlamme, who predeceased his parents; Paul and Dorothy LaFlamme of Hollis, NH; Patricia and Bruce Rankins of Gilford, NH; Peter A. LaFlamme Sr., of Nashua, NH; Celeste and Robert Sticca of Fargo, ND; Joan and Doug Finn of Hudson, NH; and Jeffrey and Natalie LaFlamme of Nashua, NH. They had seventeen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, who Joan adored.

While Berdie built his career as an educator and musician, Joan was a loving mother to their large family. In addition, she later worked as a switchboard operator at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and then went on to become a secretary for Dr. E. Lopez for twenty-five years. Following her retirement, she fulfilled her long-deferred dream of attending college, and when she graduated with a BA from Rivier College in 2007, she was their oldest-ever graduate at the age of 77. She continued to pursue her love of learning, often composing essays and poetry on the computer that she learned to master. She loved to travel and visit with family members, and she was a doting dog owner to her pets over the years.

Joan was a devout Catholic, a lifelong member of St. John XXIII Parish (Infant Jesus Church) and took great comfort and strength in knowing God was with her always. She was the center of her family, and she will be greatly missed and held in the hearts of those she left behind.

In addition to her beloved son and husband, Joan is predeceased by her brother, Lawrence Messier, and her sisters, Rita Dimond and Patricia Marquis.

The family is grateful to the devoted nurses and staff at Bridges for their warmth toward Joan for the past year and a half. Their care and kindness created a loving home where Joan was cherished and respected. The family would also like to thank the Brookhaven Hospice staff for their compassionate care during the family’s most difficult time.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 10, from 5-8 PM at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. Her funeral service will be held at St. John XXIII Parish (Infant Jesus Church), 121 Allds Street, Nashua on Wednesday, July 11, at 10:30 AM. In a celebration of Joan’s generous spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be given to a charity of one’s own choice. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Lillian G. (Manley) Lavoie, 85, of Nashua, widow of Joseph D. Lavoie, passed away Monday morning, July 2, 2018 at the Courville at Nashua after a brief illness.

A native and lifelong resident of this city, Mrs. Lavoie was born on August 27, 1932, daughter of the late George R. and Bertha V. (Robbins) Manley. Educated in local schools, she was a graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1951.

In addition to raising her family, “Lil” was employed at Sprague Electric Company, Doehla Greeting Card Company, Sanders Associates, Inc., Cole Printing Company and later at Delta Education. She also worked during the Christmas Season at the former Lynch’s Men’s Clothing Store. Mrs. Lavoie was a communicant of St. Patrick Church in Nashua. She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed bingo and completing puzzles.

Lil was predeceased by her husband Joe, who passed away on May 2, 2011. They were married on June 6, 1953 and made their home on Lincoln Avenue for a number of years. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Paula Marie Barbour on June 2, 2016; her brother, George R. Manley Jr.; and her sister-in-law, Pauline J. Manley.

Members of her family include her son, Thomas J. Lavoie of Nashua; two granddaughters, Jennifer Lifland and Heather Joy Williams; a brother, William H. Manley; a sister-in-law, Exilia E. “Dida” Manley; also nieces, nephews and cousins.

There are no calling hours and interment will be private. Those wishing to express their sympathy, may send donations in her memory to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Patricia A. Wiik, 63, of Nashua, wife of Richard P. Wiik, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, June 29, 2018.

Mrs. Wiik was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 6, 1955, a daughter of the late Carl H. and Phyllis I. Arkwright. She was educated in Fort Wayne schools
and later made her home in Mississippi and Lowell, Massachusetts before moving to Nashua in 1987.

A Licensed Practical Nurse, Mrs. Wiik had been employed at Lowell General Hospital for a time and later worked for King Medical Associates in Nashua until 2013. Pattie was a member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC of Nashua. In her leisure time, she enjoyed fishing and was an avid camper and enjoyed camping at Blueberry Hill Campground.

Members of her family include her husband “Rich” whom she married on April 11, 1987; her son, Brian Wiik and his significant other, Courtney; two sisters, Nancy Burkes and Becky Jo Doyle; also nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Pat was predeceased by four brothers, Alan, Douglas, her twin Michael and Gregory Arkwright.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, Thursday, July 5th from 5 to 8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, 4 Watson Street, Nashua, Friday morning at 10 o’clock. The Rev. Dr. Melinda LaMontagne will officiate. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in her memory to the Pilgrim Congregational Church, 4 Watson Street, Nashua, NH 03064. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Rose A. Calaguiro, 92, of Nashua, widow of Anthony J. Calaguiro, passed away Thursday morning, June 28, 2018 at the Bel Air Nursing Home in Goffstown after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Calaguiro was born in Frankfort, New York on August 19, 1925, a daughter of the late Philip and Anna (Balio) Ruggiero and was educated in Utica schools. Rose and her husband “Tony” were married on April 25, 1954. They made their home in Utica, NY and Kansas before moving to Nashua in 1975. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed gardening. Mrs. Calaguiro was a communicant of St. Christopher Church.

In addition to her parents, Rose was predeceased by her husband Tony, who passed away April 1, 2010; her daughter-in-law, Laurie Calaguiro; three brothers and their wives, Augie and Rose Ruggiero, John and Stasia Ruggiero and Philip and Mary Ruggiero; a sister and her husband, Fay and Larry Fiorentino; and a sister-in-law, Antoinette Rappa.

Members of her family include her three children, Anthony J. Calaguiro Jr. of Largo, FL, Francis R. Calaguiro and his wife Robin of Dover, NH and Jane A. Folsom and her husband Gary of Goffstown, NH; seven grandchildren, Robert, Shane, Carrie, Joshua, Jennifer, Tyler and Celine; four great-grandchildren, Hayden, Alyssa, Aynslie and Arabella; a brother and his wife, Anthony and Linda Ruggiero of Syracuse, NY; also several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Private funeral services were held for Mrs. Calaguiro. She was laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. www.farwellfuneralservice.com