BELMONT --- Arthur "Sonny" Stern, 82, passed on Friday, April 12, 2024, while returning from wintering in Florida.
He was born on March 8, 1942, in Frederick Maryland. Sonny was the only child of Arthur and Armatha Stern.
Sonny moved from Cape May, NJ where he served in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He moved to Laconia, NH in the late 60’s to work as a Laboratory Technologist for Laconia Clinic and then Lakes Region General Hospital where he worked for almost 40 years. He also spent many years as a Marine Patrol Officer on Lake Winnipesaukee. After his retirement he continued to teach Boating Education for the Department of Safety. Sonny was a congregant of Temple B’nai Israel.
Sonny’s passions included boating both on Lake Winnipesaukee and in Florida. He also liked photography and watching movies. In his later years he could often be found in his recliner with several senior rescue dogs in his lap watching his favorite shows. Two of Sonny’s happiest places on earth were Prince Edward Island where he enjoyed sitting on the deck watching the fishing boats go by and spending time at Walt Disney World with his family and friends. Also special to him were trips to Ogunquit, Maine walking along the Marginal Way with family.
His unexpected passing is mourned by many friends in the Lakes Region, in Florida where he spent his winters, and in Prince Edward Island, Canada where he spent his summers.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sueann MacRae Stern. Also surviving are his 2 daughters Lee (Brad) Stern-Hall of Erie, CO, and Dana (Jason) Kenny, of Gilford, NH; his 2 stepchildren, Gregory MacRae, of Laconia, NH, and Rita MacRae, of Asheville, NC; and 4 grandchildren, Mae Elizabeth Kenny, Stratford Paul Kenny (USMC), Aiden Gianunzio, and Isaac Chandler. Also mourning his loss is his brother-in-law Mark (Diane) Dittenhafer of Midland, MI. In addition to his parents, Sonny is predeceased by his first wife of 32 years, Linda Ann Stern.
Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 5pm-7pm in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 1pm at Temple B'nai Israel, 210 Court Street, Laconia, NH.
Burial will be on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sonny’s name to Midwest Rescue, 945 Barrington Road, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to wilkinsonbeane.com.