Rodney R. Desmarais

Rodney Robert Desmarais, 77, of Temple, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 15, 2025 in New Port Richey, Florida. He was surrounded by his family members the days and moments leading up to his passing.

Ronnie was born in Peterborough on September 26, 1947, to George and Isabelle (Bernier) Desmarais. He spent his childhood in Jaffrey and later moved to Greenville, NH. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Greenville. Ronnie worked at the Florence Mill and soon married the love of his life, Bernadette on June 28, 1969. They had three children together, Kelly, Danielle and Chad.

Ronnie was not afraid of hard work; he built his family a home, but more importantly built a life and legacy that his family will forever be proud to live out.

Throughout his life, Ronnie worked in construction and was a finish carpenter by trade. He spent time working with Seppala & Aho, as well as Seppala Construction and Great Road Management in Acton, MA. Throughout the years, he worked side by side with his son Chad, which brought him great joy.

Ronnie’s first love has always been his family. He was a devoted husband, father and (great) grandfather, and took time to create a special relationship with each and every member of his family. He cherished any time he got to spend with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. You would often find him in the garage working on wood projects, watching war shows on the history channel, or outside tending to the pool and planting a garden each year for his family to enjoy. He loved spending summers in Canada at their family cottage, reading books, beachcombing for sea glass and taking in the ocean view. He enjoyed sharing his passion for history and life with his grandkids.

In addition to his parents, Rodney is also predeceased by his brothers Ernie Bernier, Lucien Desmarais and William Miller, as well as his sisters Isabelle Boudreau, Phylis Dancause and Helen Ward.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernadette (Vautour) Desmarais of Temple, his children Kelly (Nathan) Crooker of New Ipswich, NH, Danielle (Nathan) Sikkila of New Ipswich, NH, and Chad (Kate) Desmarais of Temple, NH. His pride and joy were his ten grandchildren: Chanel (Abram) Aho, Dylan Somero, Mariah (Gordon) Parkkonen, Alyson (David) Martyn, Hunter Sikkila, Lainey (Caleb) Olson, Lauren (Aidan) Kirby, Spencer (Mackenzie) Sikkila, Brodie Desmarais, and Grace Desmarais. He adored his 12 great grandchildren; Mallee, Greyson, Hattie and Reed Aho; Bernadette "Birdie" and Jonah Parkkonen; Teddy and Tilly Olson; Nixon, Miller and Lennon Martyn; and Kollins Kirby. He is also survived by his beloved mother in law, Annie Vautour of Greenville as well as many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Hope Fellowship Church, 16 Prescott Road, Jaffrey NH, 03452. Visitation with the family will start at 3:30pm with the service beginning at 4:00pm.