A. Roger LaBranche

A. Roger LaBranche, 82, a longtime resident of Breton Road in Gilford, died Saturday, May 19, 2007 at the Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia following a period of failing health. Roger, as he was known, was born in Newmarket, May 7, 1925, son of Alcide and Marie (LeCuyer) LaBranche. He moved to Franklin in 1946 with his family and later in 1967 moved to Gilford. In the early 60's Roger owned and operated the former Rogers Flying A gas station in Gilford for several years. A truck driver, he worked in the 1970's with Rudolph LaBranche Trucking Company and Webster Valve-Watts Regulators, Inc. in Franklin. He was a devoted husband to his ailing wife Marie, to whom he had been married to for 53 years. He served in the Navy during WW II from 1943 to 1946 aboard the USS Keokuk, which survived a kamikaze attack. Roger had a great interest in funeral service and upon his return home he attended and graduated in 1950 from the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming in Boston. He was a beloved fan of the Boston Red Sox, able to attend many games while going to school in the city. He was predeceased by a brother, Lionel LaBranche of Homosassa, Fla., in 2005. His family includes his wife Marie E. (Sanborn) LaBranche of Gilford; his daughters Carol and husband Phil Defosses of Ashland, Cheryl LaBranche and husband Dr. Barry Arvidson of Laconia; his sons David LaBranche and wife Pauline Hughes of Gilford, Kenneth and wife (Josephine) LaBranche of Gilford, Robert and wife (Nancy) LaBranche of Sanbornton, William LaBranche of Tilton, Bruce LaBranche of Gilford; 15 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sister Arlene Finley of Homosassa, Fla.; brothers Roland and wife (Virginia) LaBranche of Homosassa, Fla., Rudolph and wife (Barbara) LaBranche of Lecanto, Fla.; nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, May 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road in Tilton.

Burial with military honors will be held next Thursday, May 31, at 3 p.m. at the N.H. State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Genesis Behavioral Health/Development, 111 Church St., Laconia, NH 03246.

For more information go to www.smartfuneralhome.com.