Robert Girardin, 88

SANBORNTON — Robert "Bob" "Bubba" Girardin, 88, passed away on Feb. 10, 2026, at his home.

Bob was born on May 25, 1937, in Lynn, Massachusetts, the son of Clement and Beatrice (Troy) Girardin.

He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1955, and Merrimack College in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1960. He earned a master’s degree in education at Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts.

Bob met and married his wife Joan (Richard) Girardin on June 13, 1964. They adopted three children, and lived in Georgetown, Massachusetts, until 1977, when they moved the family to a working 23-acre farm in Sanbornton.

Bob and the family originally raised cattle and other farm animals, eventually moving into pick-your-own strawberries, and finally, Christmas trees, which were a true passion project for Bob.

In addition to growing and selling trees (always with donut holes and hot cider) to local families for 25 years, Bob became a pioneer in studying and growing “exotic” conifers. The farm became a showplace for trees from many different countries, and Bob was often invited to speak and write articles for other growers and for Christmas Tree Magazine. He became a world-renowned expert in growing trees and was always thrilled to pass on what he had learned.

On a smaller scale, he always had a vibrant vegetable garden, highlighted by his tomatoes — he tried new varieties and hybrids every year, and loved sharing with his family and neighbors.

Bob’s passion away from home was teaching. After teaching at Bishop Fenwick and Danvers High School in Massachusetts, he taught for many years at Laconia High School, Gilford High School, and Southern New Hampshire University. He also spent hours tutoring his own children and grandchildren in the subject he loved.

More than anything, his family always knew just how much he loved them. He was never happier than when “the gang” was all together for holidays and other occasions, and was everyone’s biggest and loudest cheerleader.

Bob leaves behind his wife Joan, son Rick and his wife Laurie, son Steve and his wife Pam, and daughter Diane and her husband Kevin. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, who affectionately named him Bubba — a name he was known by ever-after: Ryan and his wife Hannah, Maria and her husband Ian, Paige and her husband Alex, Tyler and his wife Alicia, Casey, Gabrielle, Robby and Travis. He was lucky to also have eight great-grandchildren: Lailah, Wyatt, Madison, Olivia, Theo, Myles, Evelyn and Lily. Bob was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Rev. Peter Girardin.

There will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, at St. Andre Bessette Parish at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia.

Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the Sanbornton Public Cemetery, Tower Hill Road.

In lieu of flowers, Bob requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org. He also encourages you to buy your Christmas tree from a local grower, and always have “a glass of milk with the meal.”

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.