John Richard Belfontaine Sr.

Laconia, New Hampshire John Richard Belfontaine Sr. M/SGT U. S. Air Force Retired John R. Belfontaine, 83, a longtime resident of Laconia, NH died Thursday, February 12, 2015 following a period of failing health. John was born in Portland, ME, March 25, 1931, son of the late Sinclair A. and Mary (Burke) Belfontaine. He was the youngest of 12 children. He spent his youth and schooled in Portland. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving honorably for 22 years as an air traffic controller, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Following his discharge in Oklahoma, he has resided in Laconia for 43 years. He was a member of the VFW Post in Laconia, DAV Chapter 18 in Manchester and Air Force Sgt. Association, Chapter 155 in Portsmouth. John had a great fondness for birds, especially cardinals. He was predeceased by siblings and his wife Phyllis M. (Huggins) Belfontaine. He leaves, his sons, John R. Belfontaine, Jr and his wife Karen of Gaylordsville, CT and Daniel V. Belfontaine and his wife Dorothy of Thornton, CO daughters, Yvonne L Belfontaine of Waterford, MI and Julia M. Belfontaine of Laconia 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren sisters, Julia I. Janda of CA and Elizabeth D. Smith of Portland, ME nieces and nephews Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 17th, 2015 from 6 to 8:00 PM at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road (584 West Main St.,) in Tilton, NH. A committal service will be held Wednesday, February 18th at 11:00 AM, with honors, at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303. Burial will follow with his wife Phyllis. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Wounded Warriors Project, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 758540, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8540.