Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Click here to download a PDF of today's front page

Maurice J. Lafrance

BERLIN -- Maurice J. Lafrance, age 82 and formerly of Madison Avenue, BERLIN, passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at the St. Vincent DePaul Healthcare Center where he had been residing the last year.
He was born in Berlin on March 23, 1926, one of 16 children to the late Alphonse and Alma (Montminy) Lafrance. He attended local schools, and was a lifetime resident of the area. In 1944, Maurice enlisted in the US Marines serving in the Asiatic Pacific Area from 1944 to 1946. He was discharged shortly after, and returned home to Berlin. Maurice was married to Blanche (Provencher) on November 18, 1946, and the couple began their family.
Maurice was employed by the Brown Co., later known as James River and Crown Vantage in the wood room, retiring in 1988. He was a longtime communicant of St. Anne Parish, and was a lifetime member of both the VFW, post 2520 and the American Legion. He was active in the Mill Horseshoe League, and loved to play horseshoes. Maurice also enjoyed fishing and sports, loved the Red Sox and all New England sports teams and had enjoyed camping with his family in earlier years. His greatest love was for his children and grandchildren and any time spent with them. He will be sadly missed.
Maurice is survived by his daughters, Jeannette Rivard and her husband Richard and Rita A. Croteau and her husband Michael, all of Berlin; his brothers, Normand Lafrance and his wife Emma of Gorham, Lucien Lafrance and his wife Jackie of Berlin, Leo Lafrance and his wife Margaret of Laconia and Robert Lafrance and his wife Marguerite of Berlin; his sisters, Lorraine Baillargeon of Gorham, Cecile Gagnon and Therese Lafrance of Berlin. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Donna and her husband Kevin, Karen Cote, Kenneth and his wife Jamie, Stephanie and her husband Chris and Melanie.; his great-grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Emilie, Carson, Stacey, Hayley and Casey as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as by his beloved wife Blanche on April 4, 1994; his brothers, Roland and Antonio Lafrance and his sisters, Florence Picardi, Annette Morin, Doris Pepin, Blanche Therrien, and Laurette Rousseau.
Friends and relatives may call on the family on Thursday, May 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 72 High Street in Berlin, using the School Street entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, at 9 a.m. at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish, 345 Pleasant Street in Berlin.
Interment with full military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cates Hill Road in Berlin.

Malissie (Kitson) Morton

BERLIN -- Malissie (Kitson) Morton passed away in Hanover on Saturday, April 26, 2008 after a prolonged illness.
Malissie was born in Alton, Illinois, on March 3, 1956. She is survived by her husband, Robert Morton of Berlin, and an “adopted” son, Travis Milton, also of Berlin. She was predeceased by sisters Margaret and Charlotte. She leaves behind sisters, Tara Kitson of Oklahoma, Patricia Kitson of Peoria, Illinois, and brother Kenny Kitson, also of Peoria.
Her interests included camping, writing, drawing and she loved her cats. Malissie was a great listener, and held many interests and was self educated in many areas. She was a member of Community Bible Church in Berlin.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 13, at 4 p.m. at Community Bible Church, 595 Sullivan Street, Berlin.

Scott D. Cloutier

READING, MASS. -- Mr. Scott D. Cloutier, 45, of 45 Ash St., Reading, Mass., passed away on May 5, 2008. He was born in Berlin on January 21, 1963, the son of Joseph D. and Karen L. (Murphy) Cloutier. He attended Berlin schools, served in the US Army, attended the NH Vocational Technical College then resided in Manchester. He has lived in Reading, for the past seven to eight years. He had been employed as a computer technician, loved football and his dogs Max and Lissie.
Members of the family include his mother, Karen L. Cloutier of Milan; two brothers, Kenneth Cloutier and Curtis Cloutier both of Berlin; three sisters, Colleen Leveille of Berlin, Pamela Phaneuf of Claremont, and Holly Paquette and husband Steven of Berlin; maternal grandmother, Evelyn Murphy of Lancaster; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph D. Cloutier; maternal grandfather, Lawrence Murphy; paternal grandparents, Emery and Zina Cloutier and his step-father Roland Boutin.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Avenue, Berlin. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, May 8, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Interment will be in the Holy Family Cemetery at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Conway Humane Society, 223 East Main St., Conway, NH, 03818. For more information or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.bryantfuneralhome.net.

Albina L. Groleau

BERLIN -- A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Albina L. Groleau, of Berlin on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish with Father Richard Roberge and Father C. Peter Dumont as celebrants. The cantor was Madeliene Jeffrey, accompanied by Susan Ramsey as organist.
The pall was placed by James Beaton and Father Richard Roberge. Serving as readers were great-granddaughters, Amy Michaud and Ginny Lessard. The offertory gifts were presented by granddaughters, Lise Michaud and Diane Elder. A eulogy was given by Reverend C. Peter Dumont and granddaughter Lise Michaud.
Interment followed the services in St. Kieran Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were grandsons, Leo, Rene and Mark Lessard, great-grandsons, Kellan Lessard and Jay Michaud and nephew Paul Drouin.
There were numerous friends and family members that attended the services.
To view an online slideshow or to post a tribute, please visit www.mem.com
Arrangements were handled by the Fleury-Patry Funeral Homes of Berlin and Gorham.

Thomas Driscoll

BERLIN -- Thomas Driscoll, age 45, passed away unexpectedly in the morning hours of Monday, May 5, 2008 at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin.
He was born in Canton, Ohio, on March 20, 1963, a son of Robert and Phyllis (Bush) Driscoll. He moved to Berlin as a young man and resided here most of his life. He was married to Laura (Secord) and together they raised four children. In earlier years, Tom had been employed by the Brookside Park Apartments as a maintenance man. He loved sports, especially the Patriots and Red Sox and was a very good friend to all. He and his wife had also taken in foster children and pets and opened their home to anyone who needed help. His greatest love was for his family and his wife, who preceded him in death in 2003. He will be sadly missed.
He is survived by his father, Robert Driscoll of southern New Hampshire; his son, Barry Driscoll of Hampton; his daughters, Ann Lepage and her husband Chris of Littleton, Jessica Driscoll and her fiancé Roderick Vancour of Berlin and Megan Driscoll of Littleton. He also leaves behind his brothers. Steven and Robert Driscoll; his grandchildren. Laura, Samantha, Tanner, Krista and Caleb, a niece and nephew and his dear friends Rose and Henry Fortin.
He was preceded in death by his mother and his wife Laura.
A funeral service will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of the Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 72 High Street in Berlin using the School Street entrance, with the Deacon Merle Albert officiating.
Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday, May 9, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. immediately following the service.
Interment will be held at a later date.
Those wishing to make donations in Tom’s memory may do so to his daughter, Jessica Driscoll, 511 Goebel Street #2, Berlin, N 03570 to assist with his final expenses.