Laconia-----George J. Houle, aka “Uncle George”, 85, of 570 White Oaks Road, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 20, 2013.
George was born February 11, 1928 in Portland, Maine, the son of the late Antonio and Gladys (Labbe) Houle living in Wallagrass, Maine before becoming a resident of Laconia for the last seventy-five years.
Mr. Houle served in the U. S. Army during WWII and served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War and later served in the U. S. Army again until 1963. George was a painter and self-employed glazier and owner of North Country Glass for many years before retiring in 1995. Mr. Houle was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Laconia Post #1670. He enjoyed taking on any project, mechanical or constructional.
George was a large personality, first to laugh and joke, often making a new “friend in every state”. He was a natural athlete who excelled at boxing, swimming, diving and skiing. He won many awards in his younger years and loved his time with the Gunstock Ski Patrol. He later loved to play cribbage with Doug and help with V.F.W. bingo nights. Some of his favorite things were Milky Ways, chocolate ice cream and a cup of hot coffee.
Survivors include his wife of 50+ years, Jeanette (Sowle) Houle, of Laconia; three daughters, Tracey Houle Gilbert, and her husband, Jamie, of Laconia, Virginia MacMillan and her husband, Pat, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jacqueline Columbus of Gay City, Indiana; a daughter-in-law, Charlene Houle, of Gilmanton; proud grandfather to Aaron Houle, Jake, Dylan and Haven Gilbert, Tyler and Isabella Houle, Shawn, Joseph and Amanda MacMillan and Shane and Shelly Columbus; 13 great grandchildren; one great, great grandchild; two brothers, Hubert Houle of Laconia and Richard Houle of Belmont; three sisters, Geraldine Simoneau of Laconia, Vivian Doherty of Laconia and Judi Swanson of Laconia; many wonderful nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Houle was predeceased by two sons, Jeffrey J. Houle in 1987 and Douglas Houle in 2007, a daughter, Gretchen G. Houle, in 2011, 3 siblings, Jacqueline Landry, Joy Barry and Pete Houle and his faithful dog, Digger.
There will be no calling hours.
A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 1:00PM at the family lot in Bayside Cemetery, Laconia, N.H. Rev. Mark Lamprey, pastor of the Weirs United Baptist Church, will officiate.
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 Jeffrey Houle Scholarship Fund c/o Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247-7312.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.