Bertrand L Labonte

Berlin, NH

Bertrand Louis Labonte, 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Coos County Nursing Home where he had been a resident for the past three months.

Bertrand was born in Lewiston, ME, on February 13, 1916 the son of Aime and Fleurendy (Blais) Labonte.

He attended St. Regis Academy and was a graduate of Berlin High School with the Class of 1933.

On July 27, 1946, he married Florence Beaudoin and together they raised two children.

He was a member of St. Anne's Church and recently Good Shepherd Parish. He was also a former member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

Bertrand worked at the Research Department for Brown Company as a laboratory technician before becoming the operator of its experimental paper machine. In 1970, he assumed a new position as a salaried employee in the technical department at the Cascade Mill retiring from the James River Corporation in 1978.

In his spare time, he ran Bert's Auto for over 25 years, an auto repair facility specializing in automotive electrical systems and carburetor repair.

For recreation he enjoyed skiing, hunting and fishing with family and friends. Bert was an accomplished musician. He would often be heard playing the violin or mandolin for family and for simple relaxation. This talent was a self-taught gift.

He was a very loving, caring and devoted father and husband. He will be deeply missed by his family.

Bertrand is survived by his son Richard Labonte and wife Anne Dunne of Intervale, NH and daughter Doreen Tremaine and husband Richard of Berlin, NH; a granddaughter Karen (Tremaine) Wurz and husband Thomas of West Hartford, CT and was also expecting his first great-grandchild in April. Surviving siblings are two sisters, Gisele Sheridan of Simpsonville, SC and Irene Oleson of Berlin, NH; one brother Romeo Labonte and wife Doris of Berlin, NH; a brother-in-law Donald Langevin of Berlin, NH and a sister-in-law Beatrice Labonte of Berlin, NH. Several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Florence who passed away in 1999; brothers Joseph and Maurice Labonte; sisters Beatrice Arsenault, Anita Filteau and Rhea Langevin; brother-in-laws Albert Arsenault, Albert Filteau, Frank Sheridan and Carl Oleson and sister-in-law Adele Labonte

Friends and relatives may call on the family on Tuesday, January 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 15th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 72 High Street in Berlin. (use School St entrance)

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15th at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the St. Kieran's Center for the Arts, PO Box 339, Berlin, NH 03570 because of his love of music, the Coos Country Nursing Home Activity Fund, PO Box 416, Berlin, NH 03570 or to a charity of your choice.