Richard A. Sonia, 98

GILFORD — Richard Alfred Sonia, 98, of Gilford, peacefully left the body to be with the Lord on June 25, 2026.

Richard was born on Aug. 12, 1927, in Lancaster, Massachusetts, the son of the late Alfred Levi Sonia and May (Carlisle) Sonia. Richard was one of four children.

He was educated in the Lancaster School District, completing high school in three years. He attended various colleges for degrees and certificates needed at different times in his business career: Holy Cross College of Industrial Relations in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester School of Business Science in Worcester, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (computer science) in Boston, Massachusetts, Mount San Antonio College (Food Chemistry) in Pomona, California, and Ciritos College (Food Chemistry and Animal Husbandry) in Ciritos, California.

Richard was a member of the Knights of Columbus, as a grand knight and other offices. He was also a member of the American Legion, being a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Town of Gilford Planning Board for a number of years. At the time of his death, Richard was the Boston Post Cane holder as the oldest resident of the Town of Gilford. He also served in the Catholic ministries as a lector, eucharistic minister, religious education, sacristan, and in the food pantry at Saint Louis of France, La Puente, California, and at Saint Joseph Parish, Laconia. He also was the liturgy minister to the former state prison in Laconia.

His favorite past-time and hobby was owning and restoring several Model A Fords over the years. Richard’s 1928 Custom Deluxe Roadster was his favorite, which he loved to drive in parades on the Fourth of July and Old Home Day.

Richard is survived by his sons Craig Stephen Sonia, of Wrightwood, California, and Bruce David Sonia of Mohave Valley, Arizona; stepson Peter R. Brunette, of Gilford; three grandchildren, Stephen Ryan Sonia of Wrightwood, California, Linsday Marie Sonia of Victorville, California, Jonathan P. Brunette of Meredith; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Richard is predeceased by his first wife of 34 years, Bernadine “Bunny” Vermette, who passed in 1992, and his second wife of 23 years, Corinne Arnold Sonia, who passed in 2020.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia.

Burial will follow the Mass at Union Cemetery, Laconia.

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.