Donald E Perreault

Donald Perreault, 83, Sanbornville, NH, found eternal peace, on Sunday, August 13, 2017, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness.He was born in Dover, NH on July 21, 1934. Don married Claire McKeil on April 21, 1956. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.He served with the Army National Guard for 10 years while simultaneously working for GE in Somersworth, NH where he eventually retired after 40 years of employment. Before he retired from GE in 1992, he was also employed at the TravelPro in Somersworth as a Cruise director. He and Claire enjoyed more than 40 cruises all over the world over the course of 20 years. Don could be characterized as a baseball fanatic. He played baseball, every season, until he was 69 years of age. He actually received a call from the Dodgers for a pitching tryout, but had just started his family, so ultimately, he turned it down. He was a diehard Yankees fan, while everyone else in the family cheered for the Red Sox! He had amassed quite a baseball card collection over many years and presented a starter collection to each of his grandsons. A cause near and dear to his heart was the collection and donation of soda can tabs. Don made it a way of life. His decision to collect the tabs started in 2000, as a way to help the family of a Florida girl born with no feet. His initial goal of collecting 100,000 tabs was greatly surpassed and reported in a 2010 Foster's newspaper article when he had turned in over one million tabs. He always had at least one tab in his pocket, often a donation from someone who knew he collected them. Ultimately, his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. He and Claire had five children together. He adored his grandchildren as they all came along and have also been blessed with five great grandsons who knew their "Great Papa" very well. Don and Claire were "snowbirds", enjoying warm winters in Titusville, Florida and warmer summers at their cottage on Horn Pond, in Sanbornville, NH. His most favorite pastime was spent enjoying a daily boat ride on the lake and watching the youngest children play in the water.Don is survived by his wife, Claire. His five children include, Sharon (Reggie) Lavoie, Titusville, FL, Gary (Donna Redden) Perreault, Rochester, NH, Lyn (Chris) Lavoie, Gonic, NH, Steven Perreault, Manchester, NH, Jeffrey (Sou Sihabouth) Perreault, Barrington, NH.His ten grandchildren include, Nicholas Lavoie, Anchorage, AK, Erin Duval, Goffstown, NH, Ryan Perreault, Rochester, NH, Wesley Perreault, Rochester, NH, BJ Lavoie, Milton, NH, Alex Lavoie, Gonic, NH, Cassie Lavoie, Somersworth, NH, Andy Lavoie, Gonic, NH, Connor Perreault, Barrington, NH, Emma Perreault, Barrington, NH., His five great grandchildren include, Landon Duval, Logan Duval, Crosby Perreault, Nolan Perreault and Jacob Lavoie., Don is also survived by his sister Janet Grenier, St. Mary's GA and numerous nieces and nephews., He is preceded in death by his parents, Telesphore Perreault and Clarissa Perreault, his sisters Rita Perreault and Palma Harmon, his brothers Richard Perreault and Robert Perreault.Our family is sincerely grateful to the Wentworth Hospice team of amazing professionals. We are especially thankful for Don's nurse, Leisa Wescott, who was an integral part of his journey. She not only provided care and compassion for Don, but included support for each one of his family members every time she visited. Don looked forward to Leisa's visits like she was a member of the family. Thank you, Leisa, for your professionalism, love and care you provided to our father during his time of need.Donations may be made in Donald's name to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at http://www.alz.org/manh/in_my_community_donate.asp to aid in their misison to eradicate dementia and provide care and support to all those affected.A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m., in the chapel of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester, NH, 03867.