Napoleon A. Vachon, 84, of Bedford, formerly of Manchester died March 9, 2011 at the Catholic Medical Center after a period of declining health.
He was born in Manchester on October 28, 1926, the son of Donat and Herminie (Samson) Vachon. He was educated in the local school system.
During WWII, he served for 18 months in the US Navy.
Prior to retirement, he had worked as a mail handler and in the maintenance department of the US Post Office. During his career he worked hard at a variety of positions at J.F. McElwain and International Shoe, Ray The Mover, Notre Dame Hospital, St. Marie Church, St. Mary's Bank, and since retirement had worked in the maintenance department of St. Peter's Day Care.
He also volunteered his time at the VA Medical Center and New Horizons for NH. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans 1624 and the League of One Thousand Men of the Monastery of the Precious Blood.
He will be remembered for his devotion to his wife and children and also for always having a smile on his face.
Family members include his wife of 60 years, Madeleine (Pinard) Vachon of Bedford; one son, Dr. Richard Vachon, D.M.D and his wife Yvette of Bedford; four daughters, Louise Pare and husband Roger of Bedford, Denise Auger and husband Paul of Manchester, Elise Vachon and companion David Welch of Manchester, Ann Blanchard and husband Warren of Candia; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; one brother, Maurice Vachon and wife Doris of Manchester; three sisters, Doris Lapointe and husband Frank of Goffstown, Rita Vachon and Marie Jeanne Vachon, both of Manchester; many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford. Committal prayers and military honors followed in the mausoleum of Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Rd.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of NH, 5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 201, Bedford, NH 03110 or to New Horizons For NH, 199 Manchester St, Manchester, NH 03103.