Wilfrid Boucher , Jr. Rochester, New York Obituary

Wilfrid Boucher , Jr.

Wilfrid George Boucher Jr., known as Will, Willie, Wilbur, and Butch, was born May 18, 1937, the 10th and final child of Wilfrid and Regina Boucher in Manchester, NH. Will spent a happy childhood in a hard-working, hard-playing, French-Canadian family. When Wilfrid was 6, his family moved from Manchester’s West Side to a grand Victorian house on the East Side, which he then inhabited for 77 years. Wilfrid attended Ecole Saint George and later graduated from Bishop Bradley High School in 1955. He went on to Villanova University, graduating in 1959 with a degree in accounting and showing considerable talent as a jazz drummer. Returning to New Hampshire, Will joined the Army National Guard, serving his country in uniform as a comptroller until he retired in 1992 and attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He had known Annette Labadie for years but after reconnecting in 1963 love blossomed. Wilfrid and Annette were married on February 20, 1965. They had three sons: Marc, Michael, and Matthew. Matthew lived only a brief three years. His untimely death remained an ongoing sadness, but his memory always burned bright as a source of hope and love. Wilfrid was dedicated to service. He was always involved on the boards of the schools his children attended, and he had a long period of involvement with the Boy Scouts, numerous civic organizations and his local church. One of Wilfrid’s greatest pleasures was the camp that he built on Bear Pond in Alton, NH. This became an amazing refuge for his family, as well as a place to hunt and fish with his friends. Wilfrid had an innate gift for connecting with and charming others and making them feel loved. Many, many people unrelated to the Bouchers called and considered Will and Annette “their Pepere and Memere”. He and Annette moved to Rochester, NY in June of this year and enjoyed a great summer in his new home at St. John’s Meadows. Wilfrid died on Saturday, November 27, lovingly surrounded by his wife, sons, and their families at the time of his death. Wilfrid is survived by his immediate family: his wife Annette, his sons Marc and Michael, their wives Jeanine and Lynne, and his four beloved grandchildren Kateri, Jonah, Priya and Anand; and his extended family: brother- and sister-in-law Richard and Louise Lavallee, their children Christopher and Gregory, and sister-in-law Claire and her children Cathy and Michael. A 1pm (EST) service, with reception to follow, will be held at Spiritus Christi Church in Rochester on Saturday, December 4th, which will be live streamed at: https://live.spirituschristi.org/ A TBA reception will be held in his hometown of Manchester, NH with a burial to follow in New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. Memorial donations may be made to: The Moore Center in Manchester, NH (www.moorecenter.org) serving people with intellectual, developmental, and personal challenges (which served Will’s son Matthew during his life), or St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center in Rochester, NY (www.sjncenter.org), providing comprehensive physical and mental health services to uninsured and under-insured people in and around Rochester (where son Michael works).
May 18, 1937 - November 27, 202105/18/193711/27/2021
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Richard LeBlond
May 18, 2022
Will Boucher, memorial 5/18/22 May 18, a special day. 85 years ago, Will took his first breath and began a journey that would affect the lives of way too many to tally. Those lives influenced him as well- frequently recalling those that made him laugh, reflect, and ye... Continue Reading
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Maurice Demers
December 5, 2021
Elaine and I would like to send our condolences to Annette and the rest of the family. Will was always full of life. A ready smile was his trademark. Annette and I go back to our days on Dix and Wilson Sts. in Manchester. We will miss but never forget Will. Rest in ... Continue Reading
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Louis & Connie Hebert
December 5, 2021
Dear Annette, Marc & Michael, So very sorry to hear that your husband and Dad passed. George Gagne called us to let us know before it was in the newspaper. Very happy that it was because he was well known and loved by many in Manchester. Please accept our most deep felt... Continue Reading
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Richard Plante
December 5, 2021
Annette & Family, Elaine and I want to express our condolences on losing a great man, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. As we all know, Will was a fun-loving person, he always had a joke, and some of his funniest jokes were in French. We traveled together for a... Continue Reading
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Madeleine Legay
December 3, 2021
Dearest Annette, As I started to read the newspaper this afternoon Jennifer had just dropped by. Upon seeing my face she asked what was wrong and I told her I had just finished reading an obituary about Butch. Our eyes filled with water and Jen remembered having him as a... Continue Reading
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Bob and Betty Harris
December 3, 2021
Dear Annette and family, So many memories are racing through my head, going to Notre Dame Manchester, teaching at Londonderry Central, and wonderful times shared with Will at Scouting events. Wishing you all, happy memories of him. He influenced so many people. May ... Continue Reading
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John Farrell
December 3, 2021
Dear Annette and Family, My condolences on your loss. I think I only met Butch once, maybe twice, but I felt his warmth, humor and compassion as though I'd known him well. He left a positive and lasting impression. Being blessed to have known Annette for many years, and... Continue Reading
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Fleurette Shannon
December 3, 2021
Annette, Marc & Michael. Our thoughts and prayers are with you this day. Sorry to hear about the loss of Will. He was truly one of the most outgoing and genuine individual you could ever meet. We will be with you in spirit as you celebrate his life tomorrow. Dick, F... Continue Reading
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Charles Peter Dumont
December 3, 2021
Dear Annette, Marc and Michael, Along with warm memories I also share the sadness of losing your husband and father. I think of you often especially when my walks take me to the corner of Beech and Bridge Streets. Be assured of my prayers as well as my heartfelt sympath... Continue Reading
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Pauline & Richard Charpentier
December 3, 2021
Annette and family. Our deepest sympathies on Butch’s passing. We’ve lost touch with our Manchester friends since relocating to Florida but we think often of you and Butch-enjoyed those days at St. George parish and our many “Guard” days, etc. We will keep him and your... Continue Reading