Gilford----Carolus A. Laurier 93, formerly of Gilford, NH, passed away at Golden View Health Care Center in Meredith, N.H. on June 29, 2012.
Carl was born on April 1, 1919 in Manchester, N.H., son of Charles Albert Laurier of Quebec and Eva (Audette) Laurier. Carl was a nephew of Sir Wilfred Laurier, former Prime Minister of Canada who died in the year of Carl’s birth, 1919.
Carl grew up in Manchester, N.H. where his father worked as an Agent of the Canadian Government. After his father’s death in 1927, the family moved to Laconia, N.H.
Upon graduating from Laconia High School, he went to work at Scott & Williams. He became a machinist-tool maker, as well as Department Foreman and Superintendent. Over the years he learned metallurgy and mechanical engineering while working at Scott & Williams, Titeflex Corp. in Massachusetts and Kingsbury Machine Tool Corp. in Keene, N.H. where he was head of the Quality Control Dept.
Carl served as a selectman for the towns of Stoddard and Gilford, N.H. He was a member of the Congregational Church of East Longmeadow, Mass. and the Congregational Church of Laconia, N.H. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge of Keene and Laconia.
Upon his retirement in 1983 from Kingsbury, Carl and his wife, Susanna, moved to Gilford, N.H. Carl worked part time at Cooper Products in Laconia until final retirement several years later.
Carl had a love for music and as a young man learned how to play the coronet. He became an accomplished musician, well known throughout the New England area. He played in several bands during the Big Band Era filling in with many notable bands playing in the East. Carl also enjoyed jam sessions with his musician buddies. Carl and the band performed at the Winnipesaukee Gardens and at the Alton Bay Pavilion. He performed in the summer open concerts in Gilford, Wolfeboro and Center Harbor. He was the oldest volunteer member at that time being 89 years young. His music could be heard on old “78” vinyl records, as well as a couple newer CDs produced by some of the bands he played in.
Carl was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life. He was a skilled hunter and an exceptional marksman. Canoeing, hiking and fishing brought great joy to him. He was active in most all sports as a youth which gave him great physical abilities and stamina for his many outdoor adventures. Carl was part Native American of the Quebec Cree Tribe and he had a thorough understanding of the natural world. He practiced the ”Way of the Forest, Waters, and Creatures” and he possessed great reverence for all things in nature.
Carl is predeceased by wives, Blendena (Durand) Laurier and Susanna (Nelson) Laurier. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia A. Ryll of West Springfield, Mass., Nancy L. O’Callaghan of Meredith, N.H. and a son, James A. Laurier, of Keene, N.H; three grandchildren, Christine Ryll, of Darien, Conn., Jeffrey Ryll, of West Springfield, Mass. and Wendy Murdock, of Buford, Ga.; a sister, Marcelline Ghiotti, of Fla.; two nephews, Joseph Ghiotti Jr. and Michael Ghiotti and a niece, Bonnie Borden, all of Fla.
There will be no calling hours.
Graveside services will be held at a later date, followed by a celebration of his life.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH. 03246 or to the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.
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.