Walter J. Parenteau, 97, of Manchester, passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 29th, 2015 at St. Teresa’s healthcare facility.
Born in Manchester on May 25, 1918, he was the son of Louis N. and Anatala (St. Germain) Parenteau. He attended St. Augustin Grammar School, St. Joseph High School for boys, class of 1936, St. Anselm College and spent five years at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.
Walter owned and operated WJP Plumbing & Heating from 1947 to 1984 and also served as President of the New Hampshire Master Plumbing and Heating Association. In his semi-retirement years he had worked for First Security of New Hampshire from 1987 to 1994 and was also employed by the Town of Rye, NH Sewer Commission as Clerk of the Works.
His favorite pastimes included fishing, hunting, and golfing but his true passion was skiing. He was a member of the New Hampshire 70, 80, 90 plus Ski Club and has skied all across New Hampshire, mostly at Gunstock. He also enjoyed skiing in Colorado and Utah with his grandsons.
Walter was very proud of his French heritage. He was a founding member of the Club Richelieu in Manchester and served as its President, Governor, and Administrator. He was awarded the Horace Viau medal in 1998 and was recognized as the Franco American of the Year in 2008.
Walter was predeceased by his wife of 57 years Lillian A. (Laberge) and his sisters Eva Duval and Lorraine Demers.
Family members include his 6 children, Judith and husband Frank Sundstrom of Fairport, NY, Diane Parenteau Klein of Amesbury, MA, Anita and husband Thomas Willard of Thompson, CT, Walter “Chip” Parenteau Jr. and companion Donna Kelley of Raymond, NH, Jacqueline and husband Michael Pickowicz of Manchester, Joceline and husband Ben Boucher of Merrimack, NH; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friend and long time companion Janice Sinotte. He will be missed by all his cribbage partners.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 172 Belmont St, Manchester NH. Burial followed in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Manchester.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Diocesan Priests Retirement Trust Fund, PO Box 310, Manchester, NH 03105.