Carl R. Ruel

Carl Raymond Ruel, 62, of Errol, passed away at home on Saturday, May 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Carl was born in Berlin, New Hampshire on December 27,1962 to Leo and Eleanor (Blanchard) Ruel.

Carl exemplified dedication to his profession, always taking pride in his work at NHDOT District 1, where his hard work, skill, and commitment to his vocation led to him working his way from a plow truck and equipment operator to his current position of Maintenance Supervisor. Carl was truly “proud to be NHDOT” for nearly 25 years.

The only thing that Carl loved more than his job was his family. His wife, children, and grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he loved them with a fierce passion. They returned his love unconditionally, and are and forever will be so proud of him and his accomplishments. Carl particularly loved days with his family at the camp on Lake Umbagog, hunting with his ”boys” – his brother, Toby, his son-in-law, Matt, and his grandson, Aidan; rum buckets on the wharf at Boothbay Harbor, and annual Father’s Day weekend trips to Old Orchard Beach with his wife, children, and grandchildren, who enjoyed playing in the sand with their “Pepper.”

Carl was a self-taught, talented carpenter who not only built an addition on his own home, but helped his daughters finish, expand, and improve theirs. Carl had a knack for being able to fix almost anything, whether he’d done it before or not. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Evening Star Lodge No. 37 on October 18, 1995, and was also a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, being a long-time member of the Valley of Lancaster Littleton, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Carl worked hard, played hard, and most importantly, loved hard.

Carl leaves the love of his life, his wife Terri, whom he married on August 1, 1981; his three beloved daughters, Stacey Smith (Matt, whom he considered to be the son he never had, and his best friend) of Errol, Julie Wilmot (John) of Bellingham, Massachusetts, and Devon Phillips (Morgan) of Errol; his five grandchildren, whom he was especially proud of and adored beyond measure, Aidan and Jackson Smith, Noelle Wilmot, and Emma and Rawson Phillips; his brother, Toby Ruel (Maureen) of Bartlett, his sisters Krystal Chapman (Kevin) of Berlin, and Lora-Lee Roman (Sean) of North Carolina, his aunt, Faye Ruel; his mother-in-law Elsie Hall, and his brother-in-law Michael Hall (Lori) of Errol; his sister-in-law Lisa Hall (Nelson) of West Stewartstown; his nieces and nephews, and his NHDOT family. He was predeceased by his father, Leo, his brother, Scott Ruel, his father-in-law, David Hall, and his good friend, Jesse Eames.

Per Carl’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Errol Congregational Church, Errol, New Hampshire. Interment will be held privately. Donations in Carl’s memory can be made to Errol Rescue, P.O. Box 64, Errol, NH 03579.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Homes & Crematory of Berlin & Gorham, NH.