L. Robert “Chief” Anair, 72 of Suncook Valley Rd. died June 30, 2003 in Concord Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in St. Johnsbury, VT on May 12, 1931, the son of Leonard A. and Grace (Astbury) Anair.
Following graduation form high school, he embarked on a military career that spanned more than twenty-one years. He enlisted in the Navy in May of 1948 and served four years in both peace and wartime operations. In 1956 he enlisted in the Coast Guard and rose to the rank of Chief Quartermaster.
Among his many assignments during his Coast Guard duty were a stint as Executive Officer aboard the USCGC Shoalwater on patrol in the Florida Straits and served as Bridge Supervisor aboard the USCGC Edisto, a global icebreaker making the 1969/1970 Antarctic expedition. He retired from active military service in May 1970.
“Chief” served as skipper aboard the M/V Doris E. on Lake Winnipesaukee for a time and also was employed at the former Wills Auto Sales in Laconia, where he received recognition as Renault Salesman of the Year in 1973.
He later went on to manage a large motel property in Daytona Beach FL. And also enjoyed a period as an independent tractor-trailer driver.
An accomplished artist, he painted murals which decorate the walls of both the Wilkins-Smith American Legion Post #1 and the VFW Post 1670, both in Laconia.
Members of his family include his wife of 52 years, Hazel (Tilley) Anair of Barnstead; two daughters, Brenda Anair Robbins of Windham ME and Donna Anair King of Pembroke NH; two sons, Len R. Anair of South Berwick ME and Bruce A. Anair of Pembroke NH; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; step-mother, Geraldine Anair of Richmond ME; four sisters, Jane Moorehead of Gilmanton NH, Linda Anair of Bowdoinham, ME, Mary Louise Hart of Richmond, ME and Lois Bernack of Oklahoma City OK; five brothers, Ron Anair of Bowdoinham ME, Wayne Anair of Richmond ME, Charles Anair of Belgrade ME, Barry Anair of Slidell LA and Rick Segalini of Gilmanton NH; many nephews and nieces. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Beverly Peck Curtis.
Calling hours were in the Simoneau & Lambert Funeral Home, 139 Church St., Laconia Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia on Thursday at 10 AM. Rev. Adrien Longchamps, pastor was the celebrant. Burial with full military honors followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.