Frank DeNauw Sr., 96

LACONIA — Frank Joseph DeNauw Sr., 96, passed away on Aug. 3, 2018, surrounded by family at the St. Francis Nursing Home in Laconia

Frank was born April 12, 1922, to parents Victor DeNauw and Claire (Thibodeau) DeNauw in Manchester and spent his youth there.  He met and married Marcelle (Trottier) DeNauw, also of Manchester, in 1939. 

When World War II broke out, he joined the Naval Reserve and they moved to Pensacola, Florida. In the Navy, he flew as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class on a Catalina PBY patrol plane.  He was awarded the Air Medal and a Gold Star for “meritorious achievement” in aerial flight for offensive action against an enemy submarine. 

After the war, he and Marcelle returned to Manchester where he worked as a salesman for J.P. Manning. He and his family moved to Winnisquam and then to Laconia where he worked at the Laconia Fish Market which his father had opened first on South Main Street and then moved to Union Avenue (where Happy Cow is located now). Soon they added the Fish-Dish drive-in restaurant to the market (where the 405 Pub is now located). Frank and his brother, Victor DeNauw Jr., took over the business and  later remodeled  the drive-in and opened it as DeNauw’s Restaurant which became a well-known and -loved restaurant in this area for many years. They opened three more DeNauw’s Restaurants, in Concord, Manchester and Nashua.

Shortly after that, he and his wife moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where they lived happily for many years until, for health reasons, they moved back to Laconia and family.

While growing up in Manchester, Frank caddied at the Manchester Country Club where he learned to play and love the game of golf for the rest of his life. He was well-known in Laconia for his game and won many tournaments and championships. He even made the news in New Smyrna Beach for still playing golf at the age of 90.

Frank was a wonderful friend to have and will be missed by many.

Frank was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Marcelle DeNauw; and his oldest son, Frank DeNauw Jr.

He is survived by his daughter, Bernadette Parent of New Smyrna Beach, Florida;  sons Daniel and his wife, Sheryl, of Laconia, Cary and his wife, Susan, of Laconia, and Joey and his wife, Nancy, of Ocala, Florida; daughter-in-law Elizabeth DeNauw of Virginia; grandchildren Tyler DeNauw and his wife, Laurie, of Laconia, Cooper DeNauw of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Trevor, Kirstie and Carly DeNauw of Laconia, Lynn Shaver and her husband, Doug, of Northfield, Heidi Gregg of Laconia, and Stephen Parent and his wife, Shawnee, of Gilford; many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, at the Veterans’ Cemetery Chapel in Boscawen, with burial to follow.

There will be a celebration of his life immediately after at Alan’s of Boscawen, 133 N. Main St. (U.S. Route 3) in Boscawen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s name to the charity of your choice.

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