Middleburg, Florida------Alfred Vaillancourt, Command Sergeant Major E-9, United States Army retired, born 27 June 1933 at Laconia Hospital, Laconia, New Hampshire, of parents Albert J. Vaillancourt and Dorothy Locke Gilbert, and the third of eight children, passed on to his Lord on Sunday, December 25, 2011. He was predeceased by his mother Doris Locke Gilbert, stepfather Roland J. Gilbert, sister Rose Cass of Belmont, New Hampshire, and two brothers, Leo J. Vaillancourt and Raymond J. Vaillancourt.
He is survived by his four children, Linda S. Vaillancourt of Sanford, North Carolina; Debra A. Fiorillo,and his very special son-in-law, Partick Fiorillo of Locust Grove, Virginia; Theresa A. Vaillancourt and his very special daughter-in-law, Carolyn Arnister of Jacksonville, Florida, and Rodney W. Vaillancourt (Carmen) of Youngstown, Ohio, as well as his brother George J. Vaillancourt (Bea) of Northfield, New Hampshire; sisters; Mary Jane Chase (Sonny) of Laconia, New Hampshire; Dot Beaupre(Phil) of Belmont, New Hampshire; Rita Kimball(Steve) of Franklin, New Hampshire, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, family related in-laws living in New Hampshire and Canada. Other family members consist of six grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren living in North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio.
He attended Ecole St. Joseph and Laconia High School prior to volunteering for military service. His military career commenced on 7 November 1950 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts until 1 June 1975, whereas he retired at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with nearly 25 years of service. After military service, he received an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Law Enforcement Criminal Justice from Fayetteville Technical Institute, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice at the University of North Florida. Jacksonville, Florida. He interned as an Investigator at the Public Defenders Office, Jacksonville, Florida. Alfred saw combat in Korea with the 2nd (Indian Head) Division, and two tours in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group (a Green Beret), serving with the Vietnamese Special Forces. He served with the 11th Airborne and 82nd Airborne Divisions as a master parachutist; however, he preferred his many years with the Special Forces (Green Beret) units, from Germany to the Panama Canal Zone, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Among his numerous awards and decorations consisting of: Three Bronze Star Medals with 'V' Device (Valor), Four Army Commendation Medals with 'V' Device, Four Air Medals, the Purple Heart Medal, Two Meritorious Service Medals, including The Good Conduct Medal Bar with Clasp, 1st 8th Award, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm awarded by the Vietnamese Special Forces High Command. He has the Combat Infantryman badge, Ranger tab, Special Forces tab, and the Turkish Commando badge, as well as numerous other service medals and campaign ribbons. On July 24, 2011, he was proclaimed an “Ambassador For Peace” and was awarded the Ambassador For Peace Medal from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea.
Alfred is a 32 degree Scottish Rite master Mason and a Shriner, a life member of the following service organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #8255, Middleburg, Fla., American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).
Though eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, he is honoring the wishes of his family to be buried in the family section in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia, New Hampshire. A professional soldier with a distinguished military career who believed in duty, honor, and country is being buried in full military dress uniform with full military honors. He was of the Catholic faith, loved his family, the military, and his country.
Dad, thank you for your love, service and sacrifice to our country. You are a true hero and will live forever in our hearts. Your suffering is over, may you enjoy eternal peace. A special thank you to Joanne, Christina, Maria, and Christy for your kindness, compassion and constant dedication in providing outstanding care for dad as well as all the nurses and staff of St Lukes Hospital. We also thank Dr. Chang, Dr. Sadir Alrawi, Cassie, and the team of 21st Century Oncology, Dr. Rachel Moodey, and to River Garden Hebrew Home. There is a place in heaven for you all.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 5:00-8:00PM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am also at the Funeral Home. Spring burial will be in the family lot in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.