Rene Berube

GROVETON, NH- Rene Berube, 90, died suddenly on July 30,2009, at the Lakes Region Hospital in Laconia, after a long illness.

Mr. Berube was born the son of Joseph S. and Ann (Gouin) Berube, both of Canadian descent, on April 10, 1919 in Gorham, NH. Rene was one of nine children; Andrew, Robert, Lionel, George, Simone, Oliver, Therese and Norman.

He was born and raised on the family farm in Cascade. His schooling took place at the St. Benedict's Parochial School up until the age of 16. Rene's father removed him from school to work the family farm on the Gore Road in East Lancaster. Everything was done by hand and was a rugged challenge for a young teenage boy. Another old man stayed there with him, but proved of little help after a bear mauled him. Rene worked the farm up until he was 21.

It was at this location that he met a pretty blonde girl named Florence O. Holden. They were married shortly there after on September 17, 1940 in the town of Lunenburg, VT. They borrowed a 1934 Chevrolet Coupe from Kenneth Reed for a limo. It had a rumble seat where the bride'smother, Annie Holden and brother, Ronald Holden, road to the ceremony. Rene and Florence lived with her parents and moved with them to Groveton on the Ball Road in 1942.

Rene assisted his father in-law, Horace Holden in running their family farm, as Horace had been severely handicapped in a mowing machine accident. The farm prospered and was the largest shipper of milk in the area for a long period.

It was here that Rene and Florence had their five children; Robert, Joseph, Pamela, John and Dwight.

A falling farm market caused Rene to seek out other job opportunities. Around 1953, he landed a job for Groveton Paper Co. This was a welcome improvement over the farm, which paid $10.00 per week room and board for all of them.

Rene had cut logs and had them sawed to build their new home adjacent to the farm. Florence worked as a waitress in Giodarnis Restaurant to help buy furnishings. Together they made a nice home for their family. Rene also moonlighted at many surrounding jobs to help support the family.

In 1984, Rene retired from the paper mill with 31 years service. His work ethic still in tact, he worked as a carpenter helping to build homes for sons John, Dwight and Joe. He also worked in this capacity for others in the surrounding area. After this he worked at Santa's Village in Jefferson up until two years ago, being their eldest employee. This was probably his best job ever as he loved being around the children seeing them have a great time.

Rene loved sports such as hunting, fishing, hiking,bicycling, skiing and horseshoe pitching. He played horseshoes in many tournaments and was a member of the Keene Horseshoe Pitching League for four years running. For this he won many trophies. His other favorite pastimes were cutting firewood and playing cribbage. His most prized possession was his Husqvarna chainsaw.

Rene is survived by his wife, Florence of nearly 69 years, their five children, Robert Berube of N. Stratford, Joseph Berube and his wife Diane of Groveton, Pamela Kinyon and her husband Gary, John Berube of Chesterfield, VA, Dwight Berube and his wife Shirley of Groveton; ten grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren; and two brothers, Oliver Berube of Gorham and Norman Berube of Berlin.

Visiting hours will be held Monday afternoon and evening, August 3, from 2-4 and 7-9 at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Tuesday morning at 11:00 AM at the Christ United Methodist Church of Lancaster. Reverend Ron Bruce, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Northumberland Cemetery, Groveton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made in his memory to local food banks or a charity of ones choice.