AUBURN, NH – Richard D. Potvin, 67, of Auburn, passed away at home on February 19, 2017.
He was born in Manchester on July 7, 1949, the son of Paul and Francoise (Gingras) Potvin. He was a 1967 graduate of Manchester High School West and was a member of the Honor Society and an all-star athlete. He was also an Eagle Scout. He played baseball for Post 79 and went on to play in two American Legion World Series.
After high school, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins but chose instead to attend the University of Rhode Island where he continued his baseball career. He was a physical education teacher with the Manchester School System for 44 years until his retirement. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Intervale Country Club, where he was once club champion. He also played on the senior golf tour.
In his retirement, he enjoyed landscaping, building rock gardens, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was particularly proud of watching his granddaughter Ella on stage, and teaching his grandson Jack how to play basketball. He and his wife enjoyed exploring the back-roads of New Hampshire, always on the lookout for hidden treasures.
Family members include his wife of 43 years, Nancy (Stonner) Potvin; his mother Francoise Potvin of Manchester; two daughters, Shana Potvin and her husband Bill Vorias of Bedford; and Corinne Potvin-Oriol and her husband Andre of Auburn; two grandchildren, Jack Vorias and Ella Weintraub; two brothers, Andre Potvin and his wife Dawn of Manchester and Marc Potvin and his wife Glynis Jordan of North Carolina; two sisters, Monique Fonner and her husband Michael of Weare; and Suzanne Roy and her husband Paul of Manchester; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A gathering will take place at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Ave., Manchester, on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday morning at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, NH 03101. To view Richard’s Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.
