LACONIA ---- Roger G. Breton, 77, of Laconia, passed away at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday, August 3, 2024, after a six-week battle with late-stage lymphoma. Throughout, he was surrounded by family and his wife Barbara who offered comfort, familiarity, and companionship.
Roger was born on March 23, 1947, in Laconia to Roland and Rita Breton. He was the first of ten children who were all raised on Liberty Hill in Gilford. Growing up as the eldest child instilled a sense of responsibility to family and work ethic in Roger from an early age – values that he carried throughout his life.
After graduating from Sacred Heart School in 1966, Roger’s love of music led him to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Roger went on to meet his future wife Barbara (Lambert) Breton, with whom he would spend the next 58 years. Together they raised four children. Roger enjoyed spending time with his family, which continued to grow with the addition of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His large family ensured that there was never a shortage of gatherings to attend.
Roger always had a keen understanding of not only how things worked but also how to fix them when they did not. This lifelong love of fixing permeated both his personal and work life. At sixteen, Roger began his first job at Lakes Region Transit, working in sanitation. Roger later became a manager there, overseeing the company’s expansion into providing school bus services to surrounding communities. After Lakes Region Transit, Roger worked at Silver Sands Marina where he managed the boat yard and oversaw the service department. As an employee of thirty-two years, Roger earned legendary status at Silver Sands for his passion for customer service, ability to fix nearly any issue presented to him, and for his quick wit and sense of humor.
Roger’s love of music and passion for performing saw him as a member of many bands throughout the years, beginning with the Shydells, then 101 Gold Street, the Last Resort, and finally as a member of City Limits. Generations of his family grew up watching him perform at community celebrations, dance halls, bars, and family gatherings. Roger continued to play, even as arthritis and health issues would have stopped most; his last performance was at the end of this past May.
In his later years, Roger kept himself busy with a host of side projects; he could always be found out in his shed, garden, or garage. He was particularly proud of his collection of guitars, tools, and his 1929 Chrysler Hot Rod. Roger shared these passion projects with several of his brothers and grandson who all spent time with him up at his garage.
Roger is survived by his wife Barbara Breton; his children: Wendy L’Heureux and husband Mark, Marylou Leach and partner Dave Jenkins, Ted Baldwin and wife Cindi, Michelle Fridlington and husband Bill; his grandchildren: Mark Hebert, Brandon L’Heureux, Amanda Dudek, John Sands, Ryan Baldwin, Meagan Baldwin, Molly Baldwin, Christopher Fridlington, and Ben Fridlington; and his siblings and their spouses: Rachel Nadeau and husband Andre, Diane Moreau, Philip Breton, Normand Breton and wife Janet, Denise Tougas and husband Roger, Ronald Breton and wife Janine, Paul Breton and wife Val, Raymond Breton and wife Darlene, and Jeanne Breton; his brother-in-law Richard Lambert. He is predeceased by his father Roland Breton, mother Rita Breton, and brother-in-law John Moreau.
Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 4:00pm-8:30pm in the Carriage House at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home,164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10:00am at the St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations in Roger's name be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center c/o 4th Floor Finard ICU, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to wilkinsonbeane.com.