Emile Vaillancourt, 81, of Bedford, died November 13, 2012 at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home after a period of declining health.
He was born in Newport Center, VT, on March 19, 1931, the oldest of seven children of Alice (Hebert) and Octave Vaillancourt.
He first attended school in Canada, then the family relocated from Vermont to Manchester, NH where he attended Ste. Marie's school.
Emile served his country as a member of the Air National Guard at Grenier Air Force Base for 23 years.
Prior to retirement, he had worked as a self-employed carpenter for many years. Since retirement, he enjoyed traveling to Mexico, playing the saxophone, and working on various building projects.
Emile was married to Helen (Lavoie) Vaillancourt for 51 years before her passing in June of 2004.
Family members include his daughter Marie Grenier and husband Rosaire Grenier of Bedford, NH; one son, John Vaillancourt and wife Terri Vaillancourt of Bedford, NH; Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; He is also survived by two sisters, Helene Therriault of Pocasset, MA, and Monique Limoges of Claremont, NH; Two brothers, Lucien Vaillancourt and wife Lea of Hudson, NH, and Andre Vaillancourt and wife Carol of Royal Palm Beach, FL.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Aline Vaillancourt and Annette Vaillancourt.
A service was held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 in the chapel at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St, Manchester. Final interment will be in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or the National ALS Foundation, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005.