Azarias John Theroux, 89, of Mulberry Street and a long time resident of Main Street, died Thursday morning, December 17, 2009 at the Valley Regional Hospital.
He was born in Mansonville, P.Q. Canada on March 12, 1920 the son of Emile and Regina (Mandeville) Theroux and had resided in Claremont since 1929. John was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Army as a sergeant from 1940 to 1945.
He retired in 1982 from the State of New Hampshire Liquor Commission as the manager of the state liquor store #8 in Claremont where he was employed for 36 ½ years.
John was a communicant of St Mary’s Church where he was involved as a member of the funeral alter server group. He was also a member of the Father Cote Council #1820 Knights of Columbus for over 40 years and a Fourth Degree Member of Father Cote Assembly #0635 Knights of Columbus for nearly 20 years and received the Sir Knight of the Year Award in 2006, also a member of the Claremont American Legion Post #29 and the Claremont Senior Center.
The surviving family includes his wife, Georgette H. (Ferland) Theroux of Claremont whom he married on May 24, 2003; three daughters, Janet DeLancey and her husband John of Bedford, TX, Louise Theroux of E. Falmouth, MA and Suzanne Fenn and her husband Tom of Nairobi, Kenya, Africa; two sons, Michael Theroux and his wife Elena Burch and Paul Theroux and his wife Denise, both of Claremont; 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grand-children; five step-children Andre R. Beaudry of Manchester, NH, Armand R. Beaudry, Richard P. Beaudry, Leo L. Beaudry and George D. Beaudry all of Claremont; several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Dean of North Adams, MA; also several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife of 54 years, Mary Jane (Messier) Theroux who died Jan. 26, 2000; one step-son, Henry Beaudry; five brothers, Albert Theroux 1975, Ernest Theroux 1986, Eugene Theroux 1992, Germain Theroux 1993, Emelien Theroux 2001; five sisters, infant Rita Theroux, Germaine Melanson 1980, Roseanna Therrien 1992, Jeannette Dodier and Therese Bonneville 2007.
Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street on Tuesday afternoon and evening from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at St Mary’s Church with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor officiating.
Interment with Full Military Honors provided by the Claremont American Legion Post #29, will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery.
The family suggests that donations may be made to the St Mary’s Church Renovation Fund, 32 Pearl Street, in Claremont, NH 03743 or Connecticut Valley Home Care, 958 John Stark Highway, Newport, NH 03773.
Members of Father Cote Council Knights of Columbus are asked to meet at the Funeral Home Tuesday evening at 7 PM for services and the American Legion Post #29 are asked to meet at 7:30 PM for services.
The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus are asked to be at the Funeral Home for an honor guard beginning at 6 PM.