Fernand Lessard

Fernand Lessard 83, of Allenstown, died January 26, 2018 at Catholic Medical Center after a period of declining health. He was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada on September 15, 1934 and was the son of Paul and Emma (Lafond) Lessard. Later in his life he was reunited with his birth family of Armand and Alice Forgues. Fern owned and operated Fern Lessard Siding and Roofing Company in Manchester for over 50 years. In earlier years he was an active communicant of St. Augustin Parish in Manchester. He was a member of the Richelieu Club, La Rencontre and the Knights of Columbus. He played Junior hockey in Quebec and later coached the Manchester Blackhawks and Nashua Maple Leafs of the New England Hockey League. He was predeceased by four siblings, Robert and Claude Lessard and Maurice and Camille Forgues; and by his former wife, Rheanne St. Martin. Fern enjoyed playing golf, traveling and most importantly, spending time with his family. The family includes his wife of 32 years, Pauline (Renaud) (Lemire) Lessard; seven children, Daniel Lessard (Joanne), Louise (Samson) Goldberg (Scott), Fern Lessard Jr. (Renee), Michael Lemire, Suzanne Lemire, Simonne Phelps (Wayne) and Paul Lemire (Kelly); 11 grandchildren, Melissa, Vanessa, Daniel, Robbie, Jeff, Danielle, Christopher, Patrick, Sarah, Mathew and Kristen; 11 great grandchildren, Christian, Michael, Vincent, Bentleigh, Keegan, Kayleigh, Grayson, Parker, Izabella, Hailey and Charlotte; 12 siblings, Claire Dumont, Denise Carroll, Claudette Drouin, Armand Brodeur, Denise Lemire, Denis Forgues, Diane Forand (Gilles), Fernande Forgues, Luc Forgues (Micheline) Gaston Forgues (Joan), Francine Forgues and Johanne Lepine; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Church, 10 School St., Allenstown. Committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.