Bernard J. LaCroix

LACONIA -- Bernard "Bernie" J. LaCroix, 79, of 281 Pleasant St., died April 12, 2010, at Lakes Region General Hospital.

He was born March 2, 1931, in Laconia, to Raymond and Helen (Morin) LaCroix. He was a lifelong resident of the Laconia-Gilford area. He attended local schools and was a 1949 graduate of Laconia High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in both football and track and field. He held the state discus record for 25 years and in 1983 was inducted into the Laconia High School Hall of Fame.

Upon graduation, he attended Georgetown University and East Texas State before entering the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1956, he entered Keene Teachers College, graduating in 1960. In that year, he and his family returned to Laconia, where he was a social studies teacher and coached both football and track and field.

During the 1970s, he worked part-time time for the local radio station, WEMJ, as a sports broadcaster and salesman. For years, he broadcasted the Laconia High School football and basketball games.

IN HIS LIFE: Upon retiring from teaching in 1977, Bernie started working fulltime in sales at WEMJ and WFTN and later at WHOM as general manager. He was self-employed as an advertising executive before retiring eaerlier this month due to illness.

Bernie was a member of St. James Episcopal Church.

Bernie was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Laconia Post 1670, Laconia Lodge of Elks 876 and St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was also a member and former president of the Gilford Rotary Club, a former member of the Laconia Kiwanis Club and a member of the Winnipesaukee Yacht Club.

Bernie enjoyed watching his boys and his grandchildren participating in sports. His grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth "Bette" (Hamel) LaCroix, of Laconia; three sons, David LaCroix and his wife, Dawn, of Gilmanton Iron Works, Craig LaCroix and Deborah Tyrell of Barnstead and Jeffrey LaCroix and Carol Scott of Mendon, Mass.; nine grandchildren, Katharine LaCroix, Nakayla LaCroix, Clifford Coffman, Kanon LaCroix, Christian LaCroix, Tulia LaCroix, Olivia LaCroix, Lindsay LaCroix and Timothy Beaulieu; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Edward LaCroix, of Placentia, Calif.; a sister, Edna Longo, of Franklin; and four nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.

SERVICES: There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 867 North Main St., Laconia. The Rev. William Romer, interim pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia.

Memorial donations may be made to Community Health & Hospice, Inc., 780 North Main St., Laconia 03246, the American Cancer Society, Two Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford 03110 or to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 North Halsted St., Suite 201, Chicago IL 60622.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is in charge of arrangements. www.wilkinsonbeane.com.