Ralph L. Bissonnette

Laconia-Ralph Louis Bissonnette, 86, of 61 Parker Street died peacefully Thursday evening, January 28, 2010 at his residence after a period of declining health.

A lifelong resident, Ralph was born in Laconia on September 5, 1923 where he was raised and schooled, attending Sacred Heart School, graduating from Laconia High School, Class of 1941. He was the son of the late Joseph A. and Georgianna (Fecteau) Bissonnette.

Prior to his retirement Ralph was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years as a Letter Carrier, and then as a RFD Carrier. He was chosen Carrier of the Year in 1975 for the State of New Hampshire by the NRLCA. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Belknap County Federal Employees Credit Union and served as its treasurer for many years.

Ralph served his country honorably in the United States Army during WWII in Germany and Central Europe. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award, Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

Ralph was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Laconia and served as Institutional Representative for Troop 68 of the Boy Scouts, a troop sponsored by the church. He was an active member of the Opechee Park Club since the 1950’s and served as its President off and on for a total of 25 times. He also volunteered for the American Red Cross and was an active blood donor having given a total of 16 gallons.

Ralph was predeceased by his first wife Alice (Roulier) Bissonnette in 1990; three brothers, Omer, George “Bud”, and Roland Bissonnette; two sisters, Yvonne Beaule, and Irene Curry.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Martha (Goodwin) Bissonnette of Laconia; two daughters, Ann Twombly and her husband Daryl of Laconia, and Judith Bissonnette of Bridgewater; two sisters, Anita Morin of Laconia, and Sr. Doris Bissonnette of Marlborough, Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Cheryl Swett of Manchester, and Matthew L. Twombly of Belmont. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Olivia Swett, Matthew, Jr. and Kyle Twombly, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 1, 2010 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. 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 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, Rev. Marc Drouin, pastor will celebrate the mass. Entombment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Burial with military honors will be held in the spring.

For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy may be made in Ralph’s name to Community Health & Hospice, 780 North Main Street, Laconia, New Hampshire, 03246, or visit www.chhnh.org.