Marcel Blanchette

NEWMARKET ; Marcel E. Blanchette, 83, died June 3, 2008, in Manchester. Marcel was born June 2, 1925, to Ernest and Alice (Rousseau) Blanchette.

The Blanchettes arrived in Canada in 1646.

He attended St. Mary Grammar School with one year at Newmarket High School. He learned the sheet metal trade from B.S. Walsh at the age of 15. At 16, he worked at Royce Shoe, served in the Army during World War II and owned and managed Lamprey Plumbing and Heating. He was a 75-year waterman on Great Bay, holding a commercial eel fishing license for several years and loved digging clams, raking oysters and fishing for striped bass. He was a great gardener, commercially growing vegetables, specializing in tomatoes. He was a charter member of the Squadron 67, Sons of the American Legion for 41 years.

He leaves a sister, Gabriel Portyrata and her husband, Edmund of Newmarket; and a brother, Major Raymond Blanchette, retired, living in Austin, Texas.

Marcel was predeceased by three sisters, Lauretta Conway of Berlin, Madeleine Blanchette of Newmarket and Marguerite Cass of Fordland, Mo. Marcel leaves 15 nieces and nephews; 30 great-nieces and nephews; and six great-grand-nieces and nephews; one adopted son, Christopher Taft and his wife, Patty; and three sons, Ashton, Dylan and Dustin.

A memorial service will be held at the American Legion, 151 Main Street, Newmarket, on Saturday, June 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion, Post 67 Children's Youth Fund.

To view the online guest book, go to www.fosters.com/obits