BELMONT - Laurent E. Drouin, 86, died at his winter residence in Loxahatchee, Florida on February 11, 2016, surrounded by his wife, sons and granddaughter.
He was born on July 9, 1929, the son of the late Valerie and Kilda Drouin of Belmont. Laurent attended Laconia and Belmont schools and joined the United States Army Air Force near the end of World War II as a radar and radio operator on B-29's. After the service he returned to Belmont, met and married his wife, Joan Avery. They moved to Portsmouth while he attended the University of New Hampshire. He left college to operate and manage the family business, Ladd Hill Dairy, until it was sold.
For the next 26 years, he was employed at Scott & Williams, the local knitting machine factory, as a set up man, a general inspector and assistant foreman. During these years he also worked part time as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. He was also elected as President of Local 4524 of the United Steelworkers of America and served for over 12 years in that office. From 1966 to 1981 he had served as chairman on many committees, negotiations, health and safety, alcohol and drug, workers compensation, civil rights, trial, job evaluation and central grievance. He was also very active in local, state and national politics, especially on the campaigns of John King, Hugh Gallen, Tom McIntire, John Durkin, Estes Kefauver and President John F. Kennedy. Laurent himself ran for Belknap County Sherriff against former classmate and good friend Rodney Crockett. Jokingly he often said "he ran but they didn't catch him!".
With the closing of Scott & Williams, he became employed as a correctional officer and then the unit manager of closed custody at the NH State Prison in Concord. During that same period he attended New Hampshire College on nights and weekends and graduated with a degree in human services. Laurent had been a member of the V.F.W., the American Legion, the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. In earlier years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and harness racing the state fairs and especially attending all the athletic events that his sons participated in. He was also a volunteer fireman and an assistant athletic coach.
In later years, Laurent and his wife took pleasure in their trips to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Germany, France, Switzerland and Hawaii. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and professional football on TV and was looking forward to the summer Olympics. Nothing he liked better than discussing politics, even though sometimes a bit heated. His greatest enjoyment as his sons were growing up were the many summers that were spent at the family camp on Lake Winnisquam and not to mention all the lobster and clam cookouts, which were his very favorite. His family was his life and love. He will be greatly missed and always loved by each and every one of them. ALso feeling his absence are his two furry four-legged companions, Jasmine and Zoey
Mr. Drouin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan Drouin of Belmont, his five sons; Brian Drouin and his wife Janet of Martinez, GA, Mark Drouin and his wife Rita of Loxahatchee, FL, Brett Drouin and his wife Linda of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Larry Drouin and his wife Joanna of Belmont and Craig Drouin and his wife Debra of Concord, two granddaughters; Rebecca Marceau and her husband Chad of Penacook and Lauren Drouin of Cambridge, MA, nine grandsons; Eric Drouin and his wife Kimberly of Andover, Jared Drouin and his wife Shana of Belmont, Jacob Drouin and his wife Megan of Epsom, Matthew and Craig Drouin, both of Atlanta, GA, Anthony Drouin of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Isaac Drouin of Jupiter, FL and David and Nicholas Drouin, both of Alabama, seven great grandchildren; Raelyn and Madyson Drouin, both of Andover, Benjamin Marceau of Penacook, Carson Drouin of Epsom, Jillian and Jordan Drouin, both of Peoria, IL and Kaikane-Makana Drouin of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, one sister, Edith Wilbraham of Mentor, OH and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by five sisters; Dora MacEslin, Joanne Shaw, Rita Flack, Alice Laurent and Patricia Hollinghead and three brothers; Maurice, John and Leo Drouin.
There will be no calling hours.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 8, 2016 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance.
Burial will immediately follow in the family lot at Bayside Cemetery in Laconia.
In lieu of flowers, , memorial contributions may be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO BOX 572, Laconia, NH 03247, to the Lake Winnipesaukee Museum, PO Box 5386, Weirs Beach, NH 03247-5386 or to the NH Veterans Cemetery Association, Inc., PO Box 626, Concord, NH 03302-0626.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.