… a chance to serve
…a chance to touch
… a chance to heal

Alfred W. Simoneau

 It is these guiding principles that Alfred W. Simoneau had in mind back in April 1908 when he established the Simoneau Funeral Home. They continue to be our guidance to this day.

 Alfred saw the need for funeral service of distinctive quality and dependability for the area’s growing Catholic community. He began the operation of the funeral home at Busy Corner and later added a pharmacy and automobile service station at the same location. As time wore on, the service station was discontinued and the pharmacy became the Busy Corner convenience store and luncheonette.

 His son, Arthur E. Simoneau in 1942, joined Alfred in the funeral profession. A series of renovations enlarged the funeral home to better serve the entire community. Arthur was well known as one of the state’s premier funeral directors. His advice and counsel are still used by the funeral home to this day.

 J. Normand Paquette, Jr., a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer fulfilled a lifelong dream in acquiring the funeral home in May of 2005. “While attending Gilford Middle-High School I spent my career day with Arthur Simoneau at the funeral home, he made a lasting impression on me, the value of what he did, and how the community counted on him, I could easily sense the pride he had of what he did. From that day on I knew funeral service was my calling.” “It is the Simoneau family’s tradition and commitment to the community I will continue to honor.”

 Norm was born in Laconia, the son of the late J. Normand Paquette, and Nancy (Weeks) Paquette. He was raised and schooled in Gilford. Attended New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Mt. Ida College in Newton Centre, MA where he obtained his funeral service education. “I have had the great opportunity to experience many facets of funeral service over my career, and am now so pleased to be able to give back to a community that gave so much to me while I was growing up.”

 In January 2009 Simoneau-Paquette merged with Wilkinson-Beane to become the Wilkinson-Beane Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Service at 164 Pleasant Street. Funeral Directors Russell J. Beane, Craig S. Beane and J. Normand Paquette are now on staff to assist you with funeral arrangements.