Benjamin E. Bilodeau

Benjamin E. Bilodeau, 83, died on June 5, 2017 at the Exeter Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was born on August 27, 1933, in New Britain, CT, the son of the late Amedee and Florence (Pineo) Bilodeau. Ben grew up in Bedford, NH and was a 1951 graduate of West High School in Manchester, NH where he played football.

From 1952-1955, during the Korean War, he served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Alaska. A resident of Epping since 1963, he was formerly employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and worked for many years as a diesel mechanic for J.F. Brown and Son. He also worked for Harold LaPierrre as a mechanic and for the Epping School Department as a custodian.

He was a gifted gardener, well-known for his ""green thumb,"" and also enjoyed woodworking and cooking. For many years he ran the lighting for live productions at the Leddy Center and also handled the time clock for local high school basketball games.

He was predeceased by his brother, Francis B. Bilodeau; and is survived by his children, Devon Rains and partner Arthur Gauthier of Epping, NH, Kay Bilodeau and wife Terry Neill of Manchester, NH, Jeannie Sciarappa and husband Anthony of Haverhill, MA, Karl Bilodeau and wife Kimberly of Exeter, NH, Joseph Bilodeau and wife Laura of Eliot, ME, Daniel Bilodeau and wife Carole of Durham, NH, and David Bilodeau and wife Laura of Epping, NH; his grandchildren, Anthony Bilodeau, Catherine Bilodeau, Amy Bilodeau, Elizabeth Bilodeau, Rebekah Bilodeau, Dylan Haigh and wife Kristy Martino, Brittany Bilodeau, Brackett Bilodeau, and Emerson Bilodeau; his sister-in-law Claire Bilodeau of Manchester, NH; and his longtime friend Kristine McPhee of Epping, NH.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Brewitt Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant St., Epping, NH, with a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Prospect Cemetery in Epping, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a charity of one's choice. For more information, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com.