Obituary of Francis-Pete-R. Lessard

1937-2014 GARDINER - Francis Pete R. Lessard, 76, of Gardiner, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 unexpectedly at his home. He was born in Gardiner on Sept., 15, 1937 a son of Joseph and Beatrice Levasseur Lessard. Graduate of Gardiner High School class of 1957, Pete was employed at Howard Johnson since high school 'till 1970. He then went to work at Cottles and later at Robinson's Nursing Home as dietician and head chef retiring when the nursing home changed hands. He was a very active member of the Gardiner Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus both third and fourth degrees for many years. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Parish at St. Joseph Church in Gardiner. He was predeceased by his parents, and sisters, Armanda Albee and Connie Nugent. He is survived by his children, Laureli Lessard and her husband, Robert Knowles, of North Monmouth, Peter Lessard and wife Lori, of Cottageville, S.C., Barbara Dinger and husband Jim, of Sugargrove, Ohio, and Stephanie Huntsman and husband Michael, of Shelley, Idaho, his former wife Patricia Morrissette, of Utah, his brother, Robert Lessard, of Avinger, Texas, his sister, Cora Whiting, of Rim Rock, Ariz., his brothers, Paul Lessard, of Frenchtown, Joseph Lessard Jr., of Salem, N.H., sisters Donna Lessard, of Elkins, Ark., Mary Merrill, of Concord, N.H., six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan., 23 at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 24 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gardiner. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gardiner Lions Club, Gardiner Knights of Columbus or St. Michael's Parish.