David Lafond

Manchester, NH: R. David Lafond, 70, resident of Manchester and former longtime resident of Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2023, at Catholic Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on September 22, 1952, in Memphis, Tennessee to the late A. Robert Lafond and the late Joyce A. (Leach) Bradley. He was raised and educated in Memphis and from an early age had a passion for automobiles. In his younger years he had his own race car that he used to participate in dirt track racing. He loved car shows and classic cars and even had his own 1955 Chevy Bel Air that placed and won various events. He loved watching car racing and there was never a race that he missed.

In 1983, he met the love of his life, Paulette, while visiting his family in New Hampshire. Their first date was at the Deerfield Fair, a tradition they continued with their family for many years. He made the move north and started his family alongside his career in automobile sales. David spent over 30 years working for Wentworth Motor Company in Exeter as a Volvo salesman until his retirement.  His devotion to cars, his customers, and his craft earned him many accolades before retirement, including Top Volvo Salesman for the Northeast Region. He spent his spare time traveling and taking long car rides with Paulette. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, and he cherished every moment he had with them.

David will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 21 years, Paulette (Ducharme) Lafond, his daughter Jessica Goodman, and her husband David of Manchester, his son Jeffrey Cooley, and his wife Amy of Nashua, and his four grandchildren, Liza, Leo, Peter and Molly.  He is also survived by six siblings, A. Stephen Lafond and his wife Patricia, Michael Lafond and his wife Brenda, Philip Lafond and his wife Carol, Jane Beaudoin and her husband Norman, Joseph Pieszala and his wife Mary and Anthony Lafond and his wife Kimberly, as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, Rodney R. Lafond and his nephew, Rodney Lafond, Jr.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on Monday (7/17) from 5:00-8:00pm at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St. Manchester, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday (7/18) at 10:00am at St. Catherine of Siena Church 267 Hemlock St., Manchester, NH. Burial will follow in the family lot at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.