With profound sadness we announce the passing of Eugene A. Rheault, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend, on December 19, 2020. He left us while sleeping peacefully at his beloved home overlooking the Merrimack River in Manchester, NH. He was a lifelong resident of Manchester having attended Saint Marie Grammar School, Manchester West High School and Saint Anselm College before attending Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He was a practicing dentist in Manchester for over 30 years, but his real legacy is in the lives he touched with his generous spirit and open heart.
Gene was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important – the simplicity of living life with those you love. A lifelong learner and a modern-day Renaissance man, he possessed the greenest of green thumbs and enjoyed working in his beautiful garden for countless hours, creating delicious meals using as many pots as possible, and traveling the world. Like his garden, he generated a sense of warmth and positivity wherever he went. He was a walking encyclopedia, a technology enthusiast and an As Seen On TV aficionado. He embraced the new and cherished the old. A storyteller without comparison and a jokester to the last, he reveled in surprising his grandchildren with toys and little surprises they all enjoyed– he was always a kid at heart.
Gene was a proud veteran and a captain in the Army, stationed in Korea after the war. He was a community leader who was deeply concerned about, and involved with, the well-being of his fellow citizen. He participated in many activities that contributed to the welfare of his community, including Hands Across the Merrimack, the editing and publication of the 100th Anniversary History of St. Marie’s Parish, the Manchester Beautification Program and CareGivers of New Hampshire. He was recognized with the 2003 Greater Manchester Outstanding CareGivers Volunteer of the Year award, the Spirit of Manchester Award and the Manchester Beautification Award for his garden at the entrance to Route 293. He loved playing croquet at his club, Stark Lane Croquet Association. He also held membership in Club Joliet and Club Richelieu for many years.
Whether he was on a double date speaking a made-up language with his brother and best friend Gerry, or engaged in a serious conversation on world history, he always enjoyed the moment he was in. He lived 1000 years in his 85, filling all of them with love, laughter and a huge, generous heart. Although he threw some of the most memorable parties during the past century, he would trade it all for a night in front of the fire with his family along the river.
Gene was wonderfully devoted to his family. He leaves Fernande, his loving wife of 59 years, son John and wife Michele from Bridgewater, VA, son Jeffrey and wife Laura from Clovis, CA, daughter Jennifer and husband Ted from Manchester, NH, daughter Jacqueline from Concord, NH and seven grandchildren (Ethan, Emily, Sydney, Elliott, Caroline, Max and Aden).
A special thanks to the wonderful nurses and doctors at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in Lebanon, NH who provided invaluable, compassionate care for our father.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for Gene and Fern on Saturday. July 17, 2021 at 10 am in Ste. Marie Church, 378 Notre Dame Ave.
Committal prayers will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd.
Memorial donations may be made to caregiversnh.org.
J.N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
For more information and online guestbook please visit www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.