Roger E. Desrochers, 80

FRANKLIN — Mr. Roger E. Desrochers, 80, of Liberty Ave., died at Franklin Regional Hospital on Dec. 25, 2004. He was born in Franklin on March 4, 1924, the son of Ernest and Annie (Lafrenier) Desrochers. Roger was a lifelong resident of Franklin and graduated from St. Mary School in 1938 and graduated from Franklin High School in 1942 in the top third of his class. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Desrochers entered the U.S. Marines Corps in 1942. He served in the 4th Marine Division until 1945 and saw action in the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima Campaigns.

He was employed at The JP Stevens Co. in Franklin for 24 years, Edison Electronics in Manchester for 10 and one-half years, was a foreman at Surrette Battery in Tilton, for 7 years, and the U.S. Postal Service in Manchester for 5 years before retiring in 1988.

Mr. Desrochers was supervisor of the checklist in Franklin for several years and served as a City Councilman in Ward 2 from 1972 – 1980. Roger was a former Deputy Grand Knight of The Fr. AJ Timon Knights of Columbus Council #2170 and was a life member of The Bishop Leo O’Neil Knights of Columbus Council.. He was a life member of Franklin VFW Post 1698 and the 4th Marine Division Assn. Mr. Desrochers was a life member of The NH Veterans Assn. and belonged to AARP. He was a communicant of St. Paul Church.

Mrs. Desrochers wife of 52 years, Yvonne (Beaupre) Desrochers, died in 2001. He was predeceased by a brother, Roland J. Desrochers who died in 1991; and by a step brother, Robert Beaudin.

Family members include a son and his wife, Robert and Janet Desrochers of Franklin; a daughter and her husband, Simone and Arthur Cushing of Meredith; six grandchildren, Robert, Daniel, and John Desrochers, Vicky-Lynn, Kimberly, and Lisa Cushing; and five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, Dec. 29th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Thibault-Neun Funeral Home, 143 Franklin St., Franklin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Dec. 30th at 10 a.m. in St. Paul Church. Spring burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Desrochers may be made to St. Paul Church, PO Box 490, Franklin, NH 03235 or to The Roland J. Desrochers Scholarship Fund, c/o Franklin Savings Bank, 387 Central St., Franklin, NH 03235.

For an on-line guestbook and directions to the funeral home, please access www.neunfuneralhomes.com.