Eric D. Vachon, 51

LACONIA — Eric Donald Vachon, 51, left us on May 2, 2025, after a courageous battle. Although he is gone far too soon, Eric was loved by many and received the comforting gift of being surrounded by the love of his family and the support of friends — both near and far — in his last days. The family would like to thank the staff of Granite VNA Hospice House for their excellent, unwavering, and compassionate care.

Eric was born Jan. 18, 1974, in Laconia, to the late Jacqueline Brackney and Donald Vachon. He attended Gilford High School and Illini Bluffs High School in Glasford, Illinois, walking with both graduating classes in 1992. He attended Plymouth State University and received a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Eric had several people-oriented careers over the years: store manager, bartender, branch manager, winning soccer coach, and most recently, educator. If you asked him, he would tell you that his most important role was as a father, inspiring him to spread his natural kindness and compassion to work with children in recent years. He had a knack for finding common ground with anybody. To Eric, everyone he ever met was an opportunity to make a lifelong friend.

Eric is predeceased by his beloved mother, Jackie. He is survived by his beloved wife Shannon (Lopez) Vachon of Manchester, and their daughter, Riley. He believed Shannon hung the moon and Riley hung the stars to go with it when she was born in 2004. Eric is also survived by his father, Don Vachon; four siblings, Jess, Marc, Dawn, Melissa and their families; stepfather Charles Brackney; and the extended Vachon, Brackney, Lopez and Lettre families, who love him and will miss him dearly. They will hold him to his promise of always being there, looking on from above.

Eric was a sensitive soul and fearlessly authentic about it. Leading with your heart that way takes incredible strength and bravery. If Eric has touched your life in any way, remember that every time you choose to approach life with brave vulnerability and love first, Eric lives on.

Those with Eric in his final days learned that he touched countless people in his life, who had a last chance to share beautiful memories and lessons they learned from living life the “Eric” way.

Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 12, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, at the Backstage at Bank of NH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford.

A private family burial will be held at Bayside Cemetery, Union Avenue.

Eric’s final wish was for Riley to have the resources to complete her final year of college. If people wish to send flowers, it is the family’s wish that, instead, Eric be remembered by making donations for Riley’s education to the Eric Vachon GoFundMe, gofund.me/67ac86b6, established by Tim McNamara.

Please share tributes to Eric at Remember Well: In Loving Memory of Eric Vachon, visit: app.remember-well.com/medallion/4726.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.