Dr. Joseph A. Bouchard

Dr. Joseph A. Bouchard CLAREMONT — Dr. Joseph A. Bouchard, 97, of McCusker Place in Claremont, died Dec. 6, 2021, at Valley Regional Hospital. He was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Feb. 17, 1924, the son of Joseph A. and Gratia S. (Bellerose) Bouchard, and had been a resident of Claremont, New Hampshire, for 51 years. He attended schools in Nashua and was a graduate of Tilton School, Tilton, New Hampshire, in 1943. Inducted into the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1943, he was active in the invasion of Okinawa. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8497. After military service in 1946, he attended Providence College, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a member of the first track team at Providence College, coached by Harry Coates. He then enrolled at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, graduating in 1954 and receiving the degree of Doctor of Optometry. He proudly served his profession for 55 years, retiring in 2009. In July 1954, he married the former Claire C. Bissonnette, of Nashua, New Hampshire. In October of 1954, he began practicing optometry in Manchester, New Hampshire. While living in Manchester, he was elected to the Board of School Committee from Ward 8. He was also a member of the Joint School Committee, responsible for the purchase of Connor Land where Memorial High School and Middle School were built. He was very active in the decisions for building Memorial High School. While in Manchester, he was a founding member of the Club Richelieu and a member of Club Joliet. He was also active in St. Anthony’s Parish and for many years, a member of the choir. He is a past-president of the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association, officiating high school and college hockey games in New Hampshire. He also officiated many Manchester Blackhawks games. In 1969, he purchased the Optometric Practice of Dr. Porter O. Dexter in Claremont, New Hampshire. He moved his family to Claremont in 1970. He was active in his profession, serving the New Hampshire Optometric Association as president, being named Optometrist of the Year in 1985, and serving this association for over 25 consecutive years. He was a past president of the New England Council of Optometry and served as a board member for 14 consecutive years. In addition, he was a past president of the Rotary Club of Claremont and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the American Canadian Genealogical Society of Manchester, New Hampshire. An active member St. Mary Church, he had been a daily lector for the past 43 years, a choir member and an altar server. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Fr. Cote Council 1820, and a Fourth Degree Member of Knights of Columbus, Assembly 0635. He is survived by his son, David Bouchard, of Weston, Florida; his daughter, Celeste Bouchard, of Claremont, New Hampshire; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home from 9:30 to 10:30 on Monday, Dec. 13, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church with Father Shawn Therrien, pastor, officiating. Interment will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the St. Louis Cemetery in Nashua, New Hampshire. Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad St., Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.