Laconia-----Bernard Roland Little, 94, of Sandhurst Drive, died at the N.H. Veterans Home, Tilton on Thursday, April 3, 2014. He was the widower of Alice M. Little who died in 2007 and Louise Little who died in 1976.
Bernard was born June 6, 1919 in Woodsville, the son of Frank and Julia (Hutchins) Little. He had lived in the Laconia, Belmont and Gilford area since 1934.
Bernard served during World War II in the European Theater as a 100th Div. Ranger in the U.S. 7th Army, seeing action in the “Battle of the Bulge” and qualified for three campaign stars. He received a “Certificate of Appreciation” presented by the Boston French Consul and signed by the Secretary of Defense of France, in recognition of his participation in the liberation of France. Leaving his employment in 1942 from the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Laconia for the U.S. Army he returned after discharge in 1946 where he was employed for forty years. In 1954, he received a national award for placing among the top fifty route salesmen in the U.S.A. from the home office in Atlanta, Ga. He later became the manager of Concord Coca Cola distribution warehouse for eighteen years. He retired in 1981 from the NH Department of Safety, Concord after being employed as the mail room supervisor for three years.
Bernard had enjoyed many winters in Orange City, FL. He was a past member for many years of the Belmont Winnisquam Lions Club, V.F.W. Post #1070, F. & A.M. Mt. Lebanon Lodge #32 and the Lakes Region Management Club. Bernard was a lover of horses; his horses led many parades in Belmont and the Sandwich Fair.
Survivors include a sister, Virginia McBride, of Laconia; two step-sons, Raymond Marceau and Roger Marceau, both of Laconia and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Norman Little and Clayton Little; two sisters, Beatrice (Little) O’Brien and Pearl (Little) Eastman and step-sons, Roland Marceau, Robert Wiggin and Donald Wiggin.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 11:00AM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in the family lot in Union Cemetery, Academy St., Laconia, NH.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Honor Flight New England, PO Box 16287, Hooksett, NH, 03106, Phone 603-518-5368
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.