Richard J. Hawko

LACONIA -- Richard "Dick" J. Hawko, 71, of Sarah Circle and formerly of Meredith, died Oct. 23, 2009, at his home.

He was born in Stoneham, Mass., on March 2, 1938, to Harold J. and Mary M. (Cunningham) Hawko. He lived in the Lakes Region for the past 30 years.

He enjoyed spending time in the New England outdoors with family and friends. He was a sailor, a fisherman and an avid gardener. He loved working with his hands. He had a quick wit and memorable laugh. Above all, he cherished his family. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in Laconia. He was active at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Laconia and at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Meredith. At St. Charles, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Sacristan.

IN HIS LIFE: Mr. Hawko was an active member of his community, serving as an assistant Boy Scout Troop leader in Hanson, Mass., and for Troop 68 in Laconia. He was a member of the Laconia School Board. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after three years of active service. He was employed by General Motors for 29 years as a district manager for New Hampshire and Maine.

Family includes his wife of 44 years, Elizabeth (Sweeney) Hawko, of Laconia; and their six children. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather to Mary Beth Godbout and her husband Andre, and their two sons, Ben and Pete; Christine Engelsen and husband Clark, and their six sons, Michael, Matthew, Brian, David, Daniel and Sean; Kevin R. Hawko and wife Nicola, and their three children, Emma, Katie and Brendan; Susan Connolly and husband Joseph, and their two children, Abby and Josh; Deb Turgeon and husband Lance, and their son, Ethan; Teresa Olsen and husband Patrick, and their two children, Colin and Ellie; sister Mary Joyce, of Eastham, Mass.; brother Thomas J. Hawko and wife Georgia, also of Eastham; several nephews, nieces and cousins.

SERVICES: A calling hour is Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 30 Church St., Laconia, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia. Memorial donations may be made to Community Health and Hospice, Inc., 780 N. Main St., Laconia 03246.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is handling arrangements. For information, www.wilkinsonbeane.com.