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Rivet Funeral Home & Crematorium Inc. - Merrimack

425 Daniel Webster Highway

Merrimack, New Hampshire

Donald Boisvert Obituary

BEDFORD - Donald Edgar Boisvert, 62, of Bedford passed away at his home on Sunday, March 3, 2013.

He was born on Aug. 22, 1950, in Nashua, son of the late Louis and Jeanne (Lizotte) Boisvert.

Donald graduated from Nashua High School in 1968 and later graduated from Plymouth State College in 1974.

He owned and operated Fixtures Etc. in Salem, for 10 years. He also established, owned and operated Granite Gallery in Hooksett, but sold it in 2001.

He enjoyed golfing, boating, vacations in Aruba, doing carpentry work for his businesses and son's house, working on his lake house, and enjoying the views.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Trudy (Caron) Boisvert; a son, Jeffrey Boisvert and his wife Mellisa of Candia; a brother, Ralph Boisvert of Nashua; four nieces, Jennifer Center, Emma Boisvert, Tanya Moran and Heidi Caron; two nephews, Christopher Center and Joshua Moran.

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services: Calling hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, on Friday, March 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 190 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, on Saturday, March 9, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Last Rest Cemetery, Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Donald's memory to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215 or online. For more information, and to sign an online register book, visit www.rivetfuneralhome.com.

Published by Union Leader on Mar. 5, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Boisvert

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How do you say goodbye to a friend of more than 45 years?

Ralph, Dave Hansberry and I were visiting with Don, Trudy and Jeffrey a few weeks ago. Don's visiting nurse had just arrived as I got there, so it was a little while before we all got to sit in the living room and chat. Don was tired and sleepy. Dave, Ralph and I shared stories about Don from the time we were teenagers, in our 20's, and into the years beyond. We had some laughs – and I don't think Trudy – or Jeffrey – had heard about some of our antics. Every once in a while Don would open one eye and give us a scowl – as if to say, “What are you telling them THAT story for?”

Asking Trudy to marry him was the best decision Don ever made, I think. She gave him grounding and purpose. She was his best friend, his business partner, his travelling companion. They shared a lot of the same interests. They both had an instinct for business. And they respected each other's ideas and judgment. They were business partners, life partners. They were comfortable with each other, loving – and they were fun to be around.

Trudy was Don's world, but when Jeffrey came along he became the center of their universe. My youngest daughter, Christine, was born around the same time, and we would share stories and learn about parenting – and parenting frustrations – from each other. I remember a time when the kids were young, we were visiting Don and Trudy. All of a sudden, I couldn't hear the kids anymore. I said so to Don. And he replied, “They're being good. They're not making any noise.” I said, “that's the problem. They're up to something.” Sure enough, we found Jeffrey, Christine and Jessica going through the woods heading toward the highway. Planning some kind of mischief I'm sure.

Don was proud of a lot of Jeffrey's achievements over the years, but two of the proudest moments I think were when Jeffrey married Melissa and when Jeffrey graduated from the police academy. Melissa is a sweetheart. On their wedding day, I don't think there was a moment when Don wasn't grinning ear-to-ear. And she was very supportive and helpful to Don, Trudy and Jeffrey these last months.

Don wasn't a big Facebook user. He was more of a watcher. But when Jeffrey graduated from the police academy, Don replaced his own picture on Facebook with that of Jeffrey in uniform. Don was a quiet man. That was his way of announcing to the world of just how proud he was of Jeffrey.

And Ralph. Ralph and Don could, at times, act like a couple of cranky old Frenchmen – from the time they were teenagers, by the way. But they loved each other, supported each other, enjoyed time with each other. Some of the best times for me, as we got older, was spending time on the golf course together seeing those two interact. Don was not a very good golfer, but he sometimes displayed a creative vocabulary. I'm not very good with a hammer, as many of my friends know. Ralph once said to me, “You gotta know your limitations.” Don and Ralph knew about each other's limitations and strengths. And they helped each other out as they could whenever they could. Ralph did not just lose a brother this week. He lost his best friend.

One of the stories I told Trudy and Jeffrey a few weeks ago was about the time I was living with Don off Lowell Road in Hudson in the mid-70s. I had a job that was paying a bit more than Don was earning. Sometimes I'd ask Don if he wanted to go out for a beer, and he would answer, “No. I don't have any money.” So I would offer to buy, and he would come along. Then one day he came home with a full set of diving gear. He and Ralph were going to take up scuba diving. I asked him how he paid for it, and he said, “I took it out of savings.” Later that week I asked Don if he wanted to go out for a beer. He said, “I don't have any money.” I said, “OK. See you later.”

But I learned something from Don that day. I learned about saving and paying yourself first for those things you might want or need later.


Some of you may have heard Warren Zevon's music. I think Don's favorite Warren Zevon song was the hockey song, "Hit Somebody." Warren Zevon died of cancer, but on his last album he had a lovely song, "Keep me in Your Heart Awhile." Two of those passages read:

“Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you”

We are who we are today because of our families, our friends, and our experiences. I learned a lot from being Don's friend; I am who I am today, in part because of Don. I know that he touched many of us over the years in small ways and big ways. I know that I will keep memories of Don in my heart for a long while.

So how do you say goodbye to a friend of more than 45 years? You don't.

The French have a wonderful expression. Instead of saying good bye, they say Au revoir – which roughly means, “Until we see each other again.” Don was a man of faith. God willing, I look forward to that time when we see each other again. Until then, I will keep the good memories of Don in my heart.

Au revoir, my friend.

Trudy, Jeffrey, Melissa and Ralph. He was a good man. He will be missed, and the memories treasured. With sympathy and love,

Paul Bergeron

March 12, 2013

Dearest Trudy and Family,
What a fabulous man with such a great spirit, I was privileged to know him.
Anne

Anne Steidl

March 10, 2013

Trudy, Jeffrey & Melissa
From my family and myself I want to offer our condoleances to you and cousin Ralph; Donald was a great nephew and cousin, he will be missed by Camille, Claude, Gilles, Bruno and myself. Our thoughts are with you.
Danièle Lizotte

March 8, 2013

Dear Trudy, Jeff & Melissa,

Please accept our most heartfelt thoughts and condolences regarding the passing of Don. We are so sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Manchester VNA Hospice

March 6, 2013

Trudy, Jeff and Mellisa,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Don was a wonderful person, and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to work with him over the years. He always had a funny joke and great sense of humor. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Carolyn Phipps

March 6, 2013

Trudy, Jeff, And Mellisa,
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to you all. Love and prayers during this difficult time.
Love,
Bobbie Jennifer (Perrault)

Bobbie Willingham

March 6, 2013

Trudy, Jeff, and Mellisa,
What sadness I felt when hearing of Don's passing. Don was a wonderful person who always made me smile when I was around him. He truly was one of the most genuine good men I have known.
As business man he was highly respected, as a friend like a brother. May the Lord bless you with comfort and strength during this most difficult time.
Prayers, hugs and love,
Jim Leek

Jim Leek

March 6, 2013

Trudy, Jeff and Mellisa. I am so sorry to hear of Donald's passing. He was a great guy and a great neighbor for the last almost 26 years. I know he is in a better place, but you will feel his loss. I hope the birth of Courtney will help to put a smile on your faces. Will be praying for strength for you to get through things.
Tommi and Bill Hall Bedford, New Hampshire

March 5, 2013

Trudy, Jeff, and Mellisa, I'm so sorry for your loss. Don was one of the greatest guys I've even had the privilege to know. I'll always have such great memories of him and his infectious laughter. Love you!

Joanna Prentice

March 5, 2013

Jeff to you and your family I am very sorry for your loss.
Edward Cardone

March 5, 2013

Trudy & Jeff, I know how much he will be missed,he was one of the" best" people I have ever known love to you both

Nikki Sennott

March 5, 2013

You will be missed!!!

Michael Mottola

March 5, 2013

Dear Trudy and Family,
We are all deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing. You are and have been in our thoughts and prayers. May all of your wonderful memories bring you strength in this most difficult time.
Megan Robinson and the Staff at Strasser Woodenworks.

Strasser Woodenworks

March 5, 2013

Aunt Trudy & Jeff,

I'm so sorry about Uncle Don. I know I'm far away but I'm sending you both a great big hug from me to you! You both are in my thoughts and prayers daily.

Love Always,

Heidi Caron

March 5, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Rita Phaneuf

March 5, 2013

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Joan Clark

March 5, 2013

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.

The Staff of George R. Rivet Funeral Home

March 5, 2013

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