Gaston R. Vaillancourt

Gaston R. Vaillancourt, 84, formerly of Whitefield, NH, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 after a long and very courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Gaston was born in Coaticook, Quebec, on March 15, 1923, son of Emile and Ernestine (Lefebvre) Vaillancourt. He was educated in the Coaticook school system and served in the Royal Canadian Army during WWII.

Following his marriage to Theresa Roy, they moved to the United States in 1948. Settling in Whitefield, he opened Vail's Jewelry Store. He later opened a second location in Lancaster, splitting his time between the two until closing his Whitefield business. In the evenings, he repaired televisions in customers' homes then repaired watches into the late hours of the night. He retired in 1998 after 50 years as a successful, respected and very well-liked business man.

Loyal customers will always remember him for "giving them a good deal". He was known for selling jewelry to children for the change they had in their pockets, especially when they were buying for their mothers. To family and friends, he was known for his wonderful good humor, and his limitless patience and kindness. He was especially adored for being the perfect grandfather.

Members of his family include his wife, Theresa (Roy) Vaillancourt of Florida; two daughters, Susan Vaillancourt and Sylvia Langer, both of Manchester; one son, Michel Vaillancourt of Chapel Hill, NC; two granddaughters, Jessica Langer and Samantha Vaillancourt; two sisters, Theresa McGlathery of Sarasota, FL and Cécile Allard of Coaticook; two brothers, Léon Vaillancourt of Magog and Marcel Vaillancourt of Sherbrooke; nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Jean Paul Vaillancourt and one brother, Jean-Louis Vaillancourt.

A memorial Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Matthew Church, Whitefield, on Saturday November 17, 2007. Urn burial followed in Park Street Cemetery, Whitefield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc. (APDA, Inc.), 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY, 10305-1425.