Rene Lalumiere

JEFFERSON--Rene J. LaLumiere, 62, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, April 28, 2016.   The oldest son of William O. and Janice N. Carlton LaLumiere, Rene was born on August 21, 1953 in Nashua, NH.  His family moved to Jefferson in 1964, where they had a family dairy farm. He attended grade schools in Jefferson and Lancaster, then WMRHS and Berlin High before enlisting in the Army.  While serving in the military, he was chosen as an Honor Guard for President Nixon's inauguration.  While stationed in Fort Dix, NJ, he married his first wife, Wanda Ruziecki, of New York, who was the mother of his only daughter, Nicole L. Santaw.

Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Rene moved back home to Jefferson where he worked for the state highway department and later as a truck driver for Currier Trucking out of Gorham, NH.  In 1978, Rene started his own trucking business, LaLumiere Trucking, that he owned and managed until his death.  He worked many years driving and repairing trucks. Rene always valued his employees and developed a friendship with each one of them.  He was truly thankful for all of the work opportunites and took great pride in fulfilling them.

In 1988,  Rene married Elaine R. Rines also of Jefferson.   They established E & R Dairy Farm in 1996 where they sold their organic milk to Organic Valley and organic beef and hay to many customers over the years.  Rene's love and compassion for cows and the farm life surpassed no other.  He would often be seen hugging and talking to his cows and looked at them as his pets, opposed to a financial benefit.  Rene and Elaine were able to operate the farm for the past twenty years thanks to special family members and friends.  He never could have expressed enough gratitude to all those who contributed to the farm and haying operations over the course of the years.

Rene was an extremely hardworking man, learning the meaning of hard labor as a young lad on his  Dad's farm.  He was work-driven and spent very little time sleeping while with us here on earth.  Rene often said he could rest for a very long time after he left this world!

Rene spent many years racing  both at Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH and on the ACT circuit.  During these years, he established many lifelong friendships. When he hung up his helmet, he enjoyed the sport as an avid fan and attended numerous events with his racing companion and niece, Kelly.

In his "spare time",  Rene enjoyed taking Elaine for a ride on his Harley.  For many years, they attended the Americade in Lake George, NY for a mini getaway.

He is survived by his loving, dedicated, wife and business partner of 28 years, Elaine R. LaLumiere;  his mother, Janice N. LaLumiere of Whitefield; his daughter Nicole L. Santaw and her husband, Timothy G. Santaw, Sr. of Swanzey, NH; two brothers, Michael  W. LaLumiere and his companion Lucy Weeks of Whitefield and Lance A. LaLumiere and wife, Kelly, of Berlin; one sister, Ronni-Lynn Simmons of Hood River, Oregon; four grandchildren, Renee  Morse of Quincy, MA;  Hunter Morse of Rockport, Maine; Timothy, Jr. and Ella Santaw of Swanzey; brothers-in-law Kevin Rines and wife Cindy of Gorham, NH; Bill Rines of Twin Mountain;  John Silver, Sr. and wife Peggy of Jefferson, NH; nieces and nephews:    Esther Simmons of Hood River, OR;  Isaiah  and Evana Simmons of Hood River, Oregon  and Raylene LaLumiere of Bethlehem, NH; Kelly (Rines) Eggleston and husband, Joe of Randolph, NH; Kyle Rines of Berlin, NH;  Kaitlyn Rines of East Lansing, Michigan; Amanda Rines of Quincy, MA; Logan Rines of Twin Mountain, NH;  Tami (Silver) Celso and husband, Darren of Intervale, NH; John Silver, Jr. and wife, Cindy, of Jefferson, NH; Kathi (Silver) Stebbins and husband, Craig of  W. Burke, VT,  special and devoted friend, Shannon E. Ingerson of Jefferson;  many great-nieces and great- nephews, numerous extended family and valued friends.

He was predeceased by his father, William O. LaLumiere, brother Chance C. LaLumiere,  half brother, Roger W. Provencal and sister-in-law, Carol F. Rines.

All those who really knew Rene, admired his quick wit,  his magnetic personality,  his sense of humor, welcoming smile and strong work ethics and will be greatly missed by all.

Visiting hours will be held Friday evening May 6, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster.   A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday at 2:00 PM in Forest Vale Cemetery, Jefferson.  Reverend Dean A. Stiles, pastor of the Jefferson Christian Church, will officiate.