Robert O. Marchand

Robert O. Marchand, 91, of Manchester, beloved husband of Doris E. (Nadeau) Marchand, died Friday, March 23, 2012, at an area convalescent home.

He was born Feb. 27, 1921, in Berlin, N.H., son of the late Louis and Philomena (Hamel) Marchand, and had been a resident of Manchester since 1948. Bob was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, earning a bronze star, serving in the European Theater, in Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes, and during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. He was a longtime member of St. Bartholomew Church, the American Legion Post 102, and the DAV, and he loved to play bingo at St. Margaret Mary Church in South Windsor. Bob retired in 1981 as owner/operator of Modern Radiator in Manchester.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert R. Marchand of Manchester and Louis A. Marchand and his wife, Linda, of Andover; his daughter, Diana M. Skelly and her husband, Peter, of Maine; four grandchildren, Tammy Marchand of Andover, Jason Marchand of Andover, Kristina Ackerson of Vernon, and Jessica Belanger of Vernon; and six great-grandchildren, Nathan, Ivy, Shawn, Austin, Ethan, and Rae Lynn. Other survivors include a sister, Cecile Dalphonse of Old Orchard, Maine; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 27, at 9:15 a.m. at the Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Church, 45 Ludlow Road, Manchester. Burial with military honors will be in St. James Cemetery, Manchester.

Calling hours will be held at the funeral home today, March 26, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Bartholomew Church.

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www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com