Leo W. Vaillancourt

Mr. Leo W. Vaillancourt, 91, died at St. Kieran House on November 14, 2008. He was born in Berlin, NH on October 20, 1917 the son of Joseph and Rosana (Therrien) Vaillancourt and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Berlin High School with the Class of 1935. He was a US Army Veteran of World War II having served in the European Campaign and was a member of the VFW Post # 2520 in Berlin, NH. His primary occupation was a meat cutter and co-owner of Vaillancourts Grocery on Green Street in Berlin, NH. Leo and his wife Mary were recognized with numerous state and local awards for their volunteer efforts. Until his death, Leo continued his volunteer efforts especially with the Motivated Elderly for Self Help Organization (MESH), and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Berlin, NH. Leo was not only an avid sports fan, but was known throughout the city and state for his contribution to the Berlin Maroons as a player, captain and coach. He served dual membership as an official with the National Athletic Amateur Association (NAAA) and the National Intercollegiate Hockey Official Association (NIHOA) from 1950 to 1975. In 2003, Leo was inducted into the NH Hockey Hall of Fame. Leo was a communicant of St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Members of the family include his 2 daughters Louise Vaillancourt, RSM of East Andover, NH and Jeanne Vaillancourt of Oswego, NY; daugher-in-law Elaine Vaillancourt of Litchfield, NH; 4 grandchildren Karen Simone of Syracuse, NH, Tracy LaPlante of Portland, OR, Stacy Vaillancourt of Hooksett, NH and Kevin Vaillancourt of Portland, ME; 4 great-grandchildren Addison, Bennett and Caitlin Simone of Syracuse, NY and Taryn Vaillancourt of Portland, ME; 2 sisters Alice Albert of Laconia, NH and Dora Vailliere of Rye, NH; many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his dear friend Georgette McCosh of Berlin, NH. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 11:00 AM at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the City of Berlin Home Health Dept., 168 Main Street, Berlin, NH, 03570 or the Androscoggin Valley Hospital, 59 Page Hill Rd, Berlin, NH, 03570. The Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.