It was a 'Wonderful Life' for 92-Year-Old Bedford Veteran

He was born in Keene on August 24, 1921 the son of Antonio and Julia (Genest) Vigneault.

He graduated from Keene High School in 1939 and later was employed at the Pentagon in Washington, DC as an applicant Civil Service Processor in the Department of the Signal Corps. He also attended George Washington University. In 1942 he enlisted in the Signal Corps of the U.S.Army during WWII.

On July 17, 1943, while in the military, he married Cecile Brunelle of Manchester. Upon an honorable Discharge from the service he accepted employment with the Department of Employment Security in 1945 to serve as a Veterans Counselor in Keene and also in the Concord and Manchester offices. He attended the University of New Hampshire part time for four years for Counseling credits. In 1968 he was appointed Manager of the Keene DES office and later Manager of the Nashua office, totaling 38 plus years with the Department. He retired in 1983 and worked part time in the office of St. Theresa Parish. As a hobby he researched family genealogy back to 1630.

After military service he joined the American Legion and served as chairman of the Oratorical Program for Chesire county. In 1947 he was a charter member of the Department of the Catholic War Veterans and served as Post and State Commander. He received several awards for service to veterans and was presented the Key to the City of Manchester by Mayor Josephat Benoit. He is a member of the American Legion Post 79 and the Catholic War Veterans Post 1624. He served as President of St. Theresa Parish, Holy Name Society and later elected Diocesan President. He also served as President of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security, NH Chapter. He served on the State Board of the NH Personnel Guidance Association and President of Court St. Bernard Association Canado Americaine in Keene. He was also a member of the Legion of a Thousand Men of Precious Blood Monastery, the retired Chapter of State Employees Association and the American Association of Retired Persons.

In 1962 he was elected to the Manchester Board of Education and appointed as the Representative to the State Board Association. Most Rev. Ernest Primeau DD, Bishop of the Manchester Diocese appointed him to the Catholic Diocese Education Committee. Gov. Walter Peterson appointed him to the Advisory Board of the NH Vocational Technical College in Nashua, and to the Hillsborough County Manpower Board and reappointed by Gov. Meldrim Thompson, Jr.

He was a communicant of the former St. Theresa Parish for 45 years and served as Parish Council President, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, choir member and coordinator of the Parish Renewal Program. He assisted as part time organist at St. Peter’s Church in Auburn.

He was predeceased by his wife Cecile (Brunelle) Vigneault on September 12, 2007 after 64 years of marriage.

Family includes a daughter Alaine S. Chevalier and husband Earl of Bradenton, FL., a son Gerard T. Vigneault of Webster, five grandchildren, Aaron Chevalier, Lisa Dutch, Adam Chevalier, Abram Sprague, Aimee Chevalier; three great-grandchildren, Valentyne Chevalier, Shayla Sprague, Aniah Chevalier, one brother Roland Vigneault, one sister Claire Vigneault both of Manchester one sister-in-law Regina Brunelle of Manchester, one niece, one nephew and several cousins.

At Mr. Vigneault’s request there are no public calling hours.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 AM in Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Elm St.. Encryptment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Precious Blood Monastery, 700 Bridge St., Manchester, NH 03104 or to the charity of one’s choice.

For more information and online guestbook, click here.