Richard Joseph Lessard, 80, of Lincoln Heights in Claremont, NH died

Feb. 25, 2010 at Valley Regional Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

He was a native and life long resident of Claremont, born on December 26, 1929 the son of Archie and Blanche (Cabana) Lessard.

Richard worked as a machinist and supervisor at Joy Manufacturing Co. for 35 years and also was a salesman at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Company for 1 year and also worked at Fellows Gear Shaper Company in Springfield, VT for 6 ½ years.

He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge # 879 and a long time member of the Claremont Country Club.

He was the widower of Charlotte (Rossiter) Lessard whom he married on Dec. 2, 1953 and she died March 4, 2006.

The surviving family includes three daughters, Debra Parkhurst and her husband, Raymond of Claremont, Linda Hollinrake and her husband, Lee of Manchester and Sandra Masse and her husband Rene of Rutland, VT; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Rita Hardy of Port St Lucie, FL; two brothers, Raymond Lessard of Port St Lucie, FL and Roland Lessard of Claremont and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held privately in the spring in St Mary’s Cemetery.