Edward D. Desmarais

Jaffrey, New HampshireEDWARD D. DESMARAIS, 71, of Dublin Road, Jaffrey died Friday January 12, 2007 peacefully at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.He was born on March 12, 1935 in Manchester NH son of the late Edward and Alphonsine (Deshaies) Desmarais. He was a 1953 graduate of Conant High School and a lifelong resident of Jaffrey.For the past 50 years, Eddie owned and operated E. Desmarais & Son Inc. a masonry business in Jaffrey which he had acquired from his father.He loved the fresh air and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. He was a Golden Gloves boxer in his youth and was an accomplished musician playing both the acoustic and electric guitar. Eddie loved dogs and had earned numerous awards with his champion Beagles.Through the years, Eddie had belonged to Ducks Unlimited, the Monadnock Rod & Gun Club and to several Beagle Clubs in the area. He was a tinkerer and well known for his Yankee ingenuity. Eddie had invented many devices that made his life and his work much easier. His determination to stay current was very evident when, instead of buying a store bought computer, he built his own from individual components at the age of 70. He will be fondly remembered for his passion of relentlessly teasing his sons-in-law.Eddie was predeceased by a granddaughter and a great-granddaughterHe is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years Maureen (Scanlon) Desmarais of Jaffrey; five daughters Brenda Belliveau of Sanborn, NH, Debra J. Shelley of Jaffrey, Pamela Desmarais of Richardsville, VA, Rebecca J. Sawtelle of Rindge, NH and Justine M. Desmarais of Greenbelt, Maryland; three sons, Scott Davis of Athol, MA, Patrick E. Desmarais of Leominster, MA and James R. Desmarais of New Haven, CT; 17 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; two sisters Mary T. Given of Jaffrey, and Irene M. Chicoine of Winchendon, MA and several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance, PO Box 107, Jaffrey, NH 03452, or to Hospice at HCS, PO Box 496, Peterborough, NH 03458, or to the American Cancer Society, Gail Singer Memorial Building, 360 Route 101, Unit 8, Bedford, NH 03110-5032