Jean R. Chagnon

   Jean Robert-Joseph Chagnon, 77, died on Saturday, October 28, with his loving family by his side. He fought a valiant battle against ALS after retiring from his 50-year dental practice in July 2022. Jean was born in Goffstown, NH, to Rose-Ida and Roger Chagnon on January 22, 1946. He grew up in Pinardville where he had many adventures with his late older brother, Richard and with his two sisters, Marie Duclos and Anne-Marie Chagnon-Migalli.

   Jean attended St. Edmond Grammar School and St. Marie High School in Manchester. After one year at St. Anselm College, he graduated from the University of Missouri and studied at West Virginia University School of Dental Medicine. While in West Virginia, he met the love of his life, Cindy Cook, and they were married on August 24, 1968. After graduating from dental school in 1971, Jean joined the US Air Force as a dentist and was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE where his beloved children, Chris and Ginny, were born.

   When he left the Air Force, Jean returned to NH and established his dental practice, first in Manchester and later in Bedford. For 50 years, he treated many patients who became real friends to him and whom he thought of as extended family. Many brought their children and grandchildren to him after growing up with him themselves.

   Jean’s warmth and love for others was genuine and deeply felt. Whether it was a patient, his many friends throughout the years, or his cherished extended family, everyone was embraced in his loving, warm hugs. His sense of humor was also legendary; his famous puns and “Dad Jokes” made people smile in a world of bad news.

   He was proud and supportive of his children, grandchildren and wife. He especially encouraged Cindy in all her endeavors for children in NH; most notably her work on the Bedford School Board and the NH Board of Education. When his children were growing up, and later when his grandchildren were around, Jean was everyone’s champion. Jean did everything in his power to make their lives happier and easier. He was always there for all of us!

   He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Cindy; his son, Chris Chagnon and his wife, Mayte, of Keller, Texas; his daughter, Ginny Scease and her husband, Andrew, of Exeter, NH; his step-daughter, Deb Voorhees and her fiance, Tony Bone, of Fort Myers, FL; his siblings, Marie Duclos and her husband, John, and Anne-Marie Chagnon-Migalli, all of Manchester; his cherished grandchildren, Matthew Marychuk, Alex and Lizzie Chagnon and Riley and Alice Scease; his great-grandson, Theodore Marychuk and many special nephews and nieces. 

   SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, 4 Church Rd., Bedford on Saturday, November 4, at 3 p.m. preceded by a “Memorial Gathering” in the church’s Fellowship Hall from 1:30 to 3 p.m. All are welcome. The service will also be “Live Streamed” on the Bedford Presbyterian Church You Tube page. (Bedford Presbyterian Church NH).

   Memorial donations may be made to the Bedford Presbyterian Church or the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, America’s Tooth Fairy.org, that helps to provide dental services for underserved children. 

   Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester is assisting the family with arrangements.