BELMONT – Nelson Henry Rolfe, 89, of Laconia Road went to meet his Savior on Saturday March 23, 2019 at Lakes Region General Hospital surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born on February 11, 1930 in Sanbornton, NH, son of the late Nelson M. Rolfe and Louise (Paradise) Rolfe.
Nelson proudly served his country in the U. S. Army 1947-50. He was stationed in Hawaii and worked in communications. After his discharge he was offered a position at the Pentagon working in communications but he and Theresa decided to stay in NH.
Nelson married the love of his life, Theresa (Drouin) Rolfe in 1951. Together they raised their seven children. In 1970 Nelson and Theresa were blessed with their first grandchild, Scott Kenneth Rolfe and the blessings continued with 22 additional grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
He worked as a machinist for Baron Machine Shop, Scott & Williams, John Lyman & Son Construction and Lakes Region Construction until retirement. He enjoyed time on his farm gardening, haying and raising some livestock. He was known for his talent as a machine operator, especially operating a bulldozer. He was a self-taught musician usually playing his own compositions with gusto on the accordion, piano or harmonica. He also enjoyed hunting, horseshoes, fishing and other outdoor activities along with farming and haying. He just loved to be outdoors. He also was a great storyteller. Nelson and Theresa were honored to be grand marshals at Belmont Old Home Day in 2016. In the last few years he also enjoyed visiting with and helping the customers at the farm.
Nelson is survived by his loving wife, Theresa (Drouin) Rolfe, of 68 years; 7 children, Scott Rolfe and his wife Katheryn, Donna Dube and her husband Jim, Kathy Luce, David Rolfe and his wife Kelly, Michelle Dore and her husband Dan, Joseph Rolfe and his wife Cindy and Mary Ellen Moretto and her husband John; 23 grandchildren, Scott and wife Joey, Angela and husband Rob, Christina, Sarah and husband Nick, Audrey and husband Dylan, Lucas, Ruth and husband Ian, Chantelle, Ben and wife Jillian, Jon and wife Caroline, Olivia and husband Cole, Stephen and wife Catherine, Mac and wife Stephanie, Tyler, Michael and wife Nancy, Danielle and husband Nathaniel, Rochelle and husband Seth, Janelle and husband Silas, Samantha and husband Mark, Jacob, Kayleigh and husband Aaron, Lauren, Natalie and fiancé Cameron and 27 great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexa, Ella, Norah, Teagan, Elliott, Oliver, Zachary, Allyson, Westley, Elena, Charlotte, Lucas, Titus, Emma, Micah, Isaac, Tulia, Jesse, Manny, Tucker, Griffin, Leah, Prairie, Mason, Max and Kiara. Nelson is also survived by his sisters Evelyn Moody, Alice Smith and Nancy Merrill and husband Kerm; brother-in-law Antonio Drouin and wife Therese; sister-in-law Lucille Morin and Mary Ellen Rolfe Davis; niece, Ann Marie; cousin, Lionel Paradise and his wife, Sally, of Gilford and several other nieces, nephews and cousins. Nelson is also survived by three great buddies Gus Swain, of Weare, NH, David DeGus, of Florida and Roger Clark, of Gilmanton, NH. In addition to his parents, Nelson was predeceased by stepmother Thelma Rolfe; his brother Leo Rolfe; brothers-in-law Lucien Drouin, Floyd Moody, Don Smith and Lyndon Burbank; sisters-in-law Louise Drouin and Alice Burbank.
Nelson’s family would like to express their gratitude to his caregivers, Dr. Richard O’Brien and staff, Belmont Fire Department, Lakes Region General Hospital, Golden View Health Care Center and Concord VNA. Their loving care and support was much appreciated.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2019 at St. Joseph Parish, 96 Main Street, Belmont, NH. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held in the church reception hall.
Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date.
For those who wish, memorial donations in Nelson’s name may be made to St. Joseph Parish Food Pantry, PO Box 285, Belmont, NH 03220 or the Salvation Army, 177 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246.
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.