MANCHESTER, NH – Joseph “Leo” Bedard, 88, of Manchester, died on February 25, 2017. The son of Xavier and Eva (Gagnon) Bedard, Leo was born in Manchester in 1928. He grew up in Manchester and attended St. Edmond’s School and St. Joseph’s (now Trinity) High School.
He met and married Irene T. DeSchuiteneer in 1949 and together they lovingly raised their five children: Carol, Janet, Ann, Susan and Joe. He is remembered as an active, athletic, happy family man who cherished time with his family, especially annual vacations, weekend getaways to the lakes and the beach, family gatherings and sporting events. Leo loved telling stories, knew Manchester history well and was a proud “Manchester boy” all his life. He was fun-loving, had good friends and was liked by all who knew him.
Leo enjoyed playing high school football, baseball, and softball, and later golf, tennis and skiing. He was an avid sports fan, and he enjoyed watching all of the New England professional sports. He was a member of the Belgian Club in Manchester.
Leo worked for Therrien Roofing and Sheet Metal and later for Sears Roebuck and Company for 32 years as a sales representative, a career he truly enjoyed.
In his retirement years, he and Irene traveled all over the world. They took several cruises including their two favorites, the Mediterranean and their cruise to Alaska.
Leo was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Irene Bedard; his brothers, Francis Bedard and Raymond Bedard; and his sister, Pauline Bedard Magdiasz.
Leo is survived by his four daughters, Carol Brown and her husband Basil of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Janet Sansouci and her husband David of Ashland, NH; Ann Underwood and her husband Gary of Barnstead, NH; Susan Ropars and her husband William of Rochester, NH; and son, Joseph Bedard and his wife Lynn of Milford, NH. He is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Leo was fun-loving, had good friends and was liked by all who knew him. He loved and was loved, and will be greatly missed.
Leo’s children would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Villa Crest Nursing & Retirement Home and the Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester for the exceptional care they lovingly provided for their father.
Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 3 at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover St., in Manchester. A service will be held at 10 a.m. on March 4 at St. Raphael church. Interment will be immediately following the service in St. Joseph Cemetery in Bedford.
