Joseph A. Legay

Joseph A. Legay, 85, of Manchester left with our Lord on Sunday, May 15, 2022 following complications which led to declining health.

Born in Ayers, MA on February 11, 1937, he was the son of Walter and Dazel (Murray) Legay and grew up in MA. He proudly served in the US Army from 1955 to 1958 and Army Reserves from 1958 to 1960 with the rank of SFC. Upon leaving the Army, he began his schooling at Hesser College receiving an associate degree. From there he went on to attend New Hampshire College (now SNHU) and earned his bachelor's degree. Continuing his thirst for knowledge of education, he also attended Suffolk Law School in Boston, MA.

From 1960 he made his home in Merrimack, NH and was instrumental in forming the Merrimack Youth Association (MYA) with his friend George Dietrich. He also formed the Merrimack Tax Association. His education took him on a journey to which he was so emerged in doing anything he could for his country. He was involved in the very first Apollo Space Program dealing with the Lunar Module under RCA. He went on to become the National Operations Manager for Southern Pacific Communication Company in Burlingame, CA. But his love for NH brought him back home to relocate to Manchester. He was also very involved in the Nexrad Program (Doppler Radar System) for Unisys. The last of his days was spent on the Nigh Sights for the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. His career was always geared to what he could do to make things better for the military and his country. He was always a soldier looking out for his comrades.

Upon retirement, he went on to open One Stop Mail Service in Goffstown and enjoyed helping others as always. He was optimistic and saw the good in every person he met and was so proud of his family whom he cherished. He was a great friend to many and will be dearly remembered and missed.

Above all else, Joe was a man of great faith and was a former parishioner of St. George Parish until its closing. He was an unwavering Roman Catholic and devout follower of Jesus Christ every moment of his life. He always looked forward to serving his church in any capacity. From St. George he went on to the Parish of the Transfiguration and that became his home. His family would like to thank the staff in the ICU at the CMC, especially Daniel, Kelly and Courtney for the tremendous care they offered Joe during his stay.

Joe leaves behind his loving wife of 47 amazing years Madeleine "Mandy" (Gagnon) Legay; his two children, daughter Jennifer Legay of Manchester and son, Thomas Legay of Oregon. He also leaves several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joe was predeceased by his siblings, brothers Donald Legay, Richard Legay and twin James Legay along with his adoring sister, Gloria Legay.

"As long as we can all love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here. Death ends a life, not a relationship."

There are no public calling hours. A memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 24th at 10 am in Parish of the Transfiguration, Kelley St, Manchester. Burial with military honors will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made in his memory to either St. Jude's Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Parish of the Transfiguration, 305 Kelley St, Manchester, NH 03102.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester, is assisting with the arrangements. To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.