Laconia-----Carl E. LaFond, 76, died peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2013, in his home in Laconia, while surrounded by his children.
Born into a French-Canadien family in Lewiston, Maine, on June 3, 1936, Carl moved to Laconia in his youth and spent the majority of his life there. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1955, playing football for the Sachems. With his former wife, Dottie (Lord) Lessard, he made his home on Fenton Avenue and raised five children.
A generous, outgoing man, on hot summer days Carl would load neighborhood kids into his van and take them for ice cream. To summon his own children home for dinner, he would stand in front of his home and, through the force of his mighty lungs, sound a whistle that was heard for a mile.
A lifelong sports fan, Carl coached Little League in the early 1970s, reliably attended his kids’ many sporting events and made known his opinions of whatever football game happened to be on TV.
In his professional life, Carl followed in his father’s footsteps by working in the automotive industry, serving as a store manager for Sanel Auto Parts and then as a traveling salesman for Robbins Auto Parts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard “Dick” LaFond of Northfield. His brother, David LaFond, of Laconia and five children survive him: Debra Westcott of Winter Haven, Fla.; Tammy LaFond of Penacook; Scott LaFond of E. Longmeadow, Mass. and his companion, Debra Griffith; Kari Berry of Pembroke, Mass. and her husband, David Berry and Curt LaFond of Montgomery, Ala. and his wife, Amanda LaFond; plus seven grandchildren, Lyndsay and Kate Westcott; Paige and Evan LaFond; Oliver and Jordan Berry; Brian LaFond and two great grandchildren.
There will be no calling hours.
Carl’s remains will be interred in an urn handcrafted by his son, Curt, during a private ceremony at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia, N.H.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.