Roger M. Paradis

Roger M. Paradis, a life-long resident of the Granite State, died Tuesday morning, April 24. He was 81.

He and his wife, Loraine L. (Lamarche) Paradis, were the parents of five children: Richard R. Paradis of Middlesex, Vermont, Donald W. Paradis of Goffstown, New Hampshire Susan P. Jutras of Weare, New Hampshire, Elaine T. Paradis of Goffstown, New Hampshire and John R. Paradise of Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Roger was born May 15, 1930, the first of four children of Rene and Rose (Lamy) Paradis. He spent his childhood on the West Side of Manchester.
He attended St. Joseph High School and New Hampshire College, where he received a degree in accounting. In 1949 he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt during the Korean War. Much of his tour of duty was spent in the Mediterranean Sea. Later in life, Roger would recall with pride that he had graduated high school and college, served his country, was married and had his first child all by the time he turned 22. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Manchester to work as an accountant. From Manchester, Roger and his young family moved to Goffstown and then eventually to Bedford. He opened his own public accounting business on Notre Dame Avenue in 1963, which he operated until his retirement more than 30 years later.
He was a member and officer of the Pinardville Lions Club and was a longtime Goffstown Little League coach and board member. Roger loved the outdoors, especially the White Mountains and the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine. He and his family spent many weekends camping, hiking, and skiing. He was also an avid swimmer.

Roger traveled the world, visiting England, Spain, Switzerland, France, many islands in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and China, to name just a few of his destinations. Fine food was another passion for Roger. He was especially fond of lobster and would enjoy barbecuing for family and friends at his home in Bedford. Roger received his justice of the peace license and officiated the marriages of his youngest daughter and his oldest grandson, among others. He was predeceased by his wife, Loraine, who died in 1996 and companion Doris Belcher in 2007.

Besides his children and their spouses Susan (Wiley) Paradis, Mary (Shea) Paradis, Larry Jutras, John Hikel, and Papalinka (Vander Pyl) Paradise, he is survived by his sisters Georgette (Paradis) Lein of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Theressa (Paradis) Pramis of Manchester, New Hampshire, Lorraine (Paradis) Arnold of Center Harbor, New Hampshire, 17 grandchildren Ryan, Nick, Eric, Jason, Brittany, Kevin, Jenna, Adam, Kristin, Jeremy, Scott, Lindsay, Emma-Rose, Michael, Lily, Anna and Griffin, five great grandchildren (and another little girl on the way), and many close friends, most especially his dear companion of recent years Carol Van Uden of Bedford, New Hampshire.

Calling hours will take place at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Avenue on Friday from 5 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM in the Church of the Transfiguration. Graveside committal services with military honors will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. For more information or to view an on-line Tribute, go to www.phaneuf.net