Roger C. Labelle

Roger C. LaBelle, 81, of Manchester, died November 15, 2001, at Maple Leaf Health Care Center, after a brief illness.

He was born in Derry, December 31, 1919, and was the son of Richard and Lumina (Martin) LaBelle. He lived in Manchester most of his life.

He was a graduate of Central High School. He attended Hesser College and NH Technical College.

He worked for a time at McGraw Edison and worked many years at Ted Herbert's Music Mart.

A well known musician in the area, Roger learned to play the trumpet at the age of 14. He played in the Central High School Band, and in 1939 joined the New Hampshire National Guard's 172nd Field Artillery Band. He stayed with the band until it was disbanded. He served in the Army during World War II and traveled with the 69th Division Band throughout Europe playing concerts, dances, and for state and governmental functions in support of the war effort.

Following the war he continued his musical career with the Ted Herbert Orchestra playing clarinet, saxophone, flute and piccolo. He later moved on to other local musical organizations and eventually joined the George Ine Band and remained there for nearly 40 years.

Mr. LaBelle was a member of the 39th Army Alumni Band.

He was a communicant of St. Therese Church.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Leontine M. (Labrie) LaBelle, in 1976.

Family members include his wife, Muriel (St. Pierre) LaBelle of Manchester; 2 sons, Richard F. LaBelle and Ronald R. LaBelle, both of Manchester; a daughter, Patricia C. Beaulieu of Manchester; 6 grandchildren; 3 step daughters, Diane Temple of Weare, Brenda Knights, and Marlene Bernard, both of Manchester; 3 step grandchildren; 2 sisters, Cleo Robert of Manchester, and Marcelle Emery of Concord; nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated November 19, 2001 in St. Therese Church. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery.