Eugene P. Bissonnette

MANCHESTER -- Eugene P. Bissonnette, 87, a longtime resident of Amory Street, died May 2, 2009, at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home after a period of failing health.

The son of Wilfred and Aurore (Dugas) Bissonnette, he was born in Chartierville, Quebec, on Oct. 19, 1921. Raised in Chartierville and Granby, he moved to the United States and Manchester in 1951. He was very proud of the fact that in 2005 he became a United States citizen.

He retired from the Chicopee Mills after 25 years and had also worked as a short-order cook for the Hanover Hill Nursing Home. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and loved music. An accomplished violinist, he and his wife, who played several instruments and sang, and other friends often entertained, especially with Country-Western music.

His wife of 47 years, Lorraine (Beaudoin) Bissonnette, died in 1990.

IN HIS LIFE: Survivors include his 4 children, Fernand Bissonnette and his wife Lynn of Allenstown, Ronald Bissonnette and his wife Theodora of Bedford, Roger Bissonnette of Manchester, and Muriel Speicher and her husband Dan of Omaha, NE; 21 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his cherished friend, Doris Moreau of Manchester; 3 sisters, Hugette LeMoyne, Jeanne d'arc Bissonnette, and Rose Lamoureux, all of Granby, PQ; and nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a daughter, Helene Croteau, and a son, Norman Bissonnette.

SERVICES: Calling hours are Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Petit Funeral Home, 167 Main St., Pembroke. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Allenstown, with burial following in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to COPD International, 131 DW Hwy. #637, Nashua, NH 03060.

For more information, go to petitfuneralhome.com.