Dorlon Picard

Dorlon “Don” Picard CLAREMONT – Dorlon “Don” Picard died on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at his home in Claremont, NH, after two years of failing health. He was born January 6, 1927, to Harold and Thais (Wark) Picard, and grew up in Claremont. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. After graduating high school early, he entered the Navy in January 1945, and served on the U.S. Destroyer, the Herbert J. Thomas, with the fleet that was going to the invasion of Japan. It was the point ship in the first group leading the attack. In his early career days, he worked various jobs, including at J&L in Springfield, VT, but spent most of his career working as an industrial engineer at Joy Manufacturing, where he met his wife Fran (Francella Baker Fitch). In 1966 they were married, a second marriage for both. After retirement from Joy, he worked for Refco, Sherwin-Williams, and as a Meals on Wheels delivery driver. All his life Dorlon was an avid sportsman, enjoying most any sport. He played semi-pro basketball and baseball, and bowling in his early twenties, and learned to play table tennis (ping pong) during his tour of duty in Japan. He competed with players from all the military services in the first Far East Red Cross Tournament, and eventually brought home the winner’s trophy. He also participated in long distance running and archery in the late 1950’s while living in Texas. After returning to Claremont in 1961, he became an avid tennis player. He is most known for becoming an excellent pool player (a shark); a champion golfer, receiving many trophies throughout the years (playing his last round at the age of 94); and especially as a champion table tennis player, including participating in the Senior Olympics for many years (and receiving many trophies and medals along the way) as a single player as well as playing doubles with his long-time friend and partner Bill Henault of Claremont, whom he considered another son. He is survived by his 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren: son, Dale Picard of Claremont (and his children Janessa and her husband Ryan, and Jonathan); daughter Lynn Maynard of Sutton (and her children BJ (and his wife and two children), Wayne (and his wife and four children), and John (and his wife and daughter); daughter Shelley Brookings of Cornish (and her husband Tim); daughter Cynthia Haynes of Acworth (and her husband Stephen and their children Leah, Hannah (and her husband and four children), and Sarah (and her husband and two children) and Joshua Lucky Haynes; and son Stephen Fitch of Langdon (his children Kaileigh (and her husband Tim and son Connor), Nenah, and Alex), his partner Nicole Leonard (and her children Brandon and Mason). He is also survived by his cousin Myrna Giroux, niece Lisa Simoneau (and daughter Nicole), and nephew Michael Henault (and his wife Kim and children, Amanda and Nick). He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Francella, his sister Lorraine Dutilley, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visiting hours will be Friday, July 15th from 5:00-7:00PM at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, Claremont. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16th, at 2:00PM at the Stringer Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, Claremont, with a reception to follow at Calvary Baptist Church, 97 Maple Avenue, Claremont. In lieu of flowers, in-honor donations can be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka Kansas 66675-8516, woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Donations can be made online or by filling out the mail-in form. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence please visit www.stringerfh.com.