Richard M. Lafond

PEMBROKE – Richard M. “Rick” Lafond, 55, of Pembroke passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2022 from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident. 

Born on August 1, 1967 in Manchester, Rick will be remembered as someone we lost far too soon. He lovingly looked after others – especially his mother, Connie (Charpentier) Lafond, also of Pembroke – and his extended circle of family and friends.

He nurtured a family of his choosing in a playful pack of dogs he adopted or rescued, including Misty, a Mastiff, and Phoenix, an American bulldog, who preceded him in death, as well as Pip, a chocolate Labrador Retriever, and Koda, an English Mastiff, who he sadly leaves behind. They will be well loved in his memory.

Rick was a hard worker and a skilled tradesman. As a drywall finisher, he was a valued member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Local #1887, for 24 years. Between 2016 and 2021, he served Local #1887 as an elected Trustee and later as the Financial Secretary. Prior to his membership with IUPAT, in the early 1990s, he was a member of the Northern New England Carpenters Union, Local #118.

He tirelessly made many early morning commutes from Pembroke to downtown Boston, where he sometimes began his day by climbing dozens of flights of stairs to work on construction projects. He appreciated that the early morning jobs meant he was able to spend afternoons with his dogs, enjoying the large yard of the century home he purchased. He looked forward to updating the home to showcase his craftsmanship and talent for design. Most recently, he was employed as a woodworker with Dennison Cabinets in Pembroke. 

Rick is also survived by his father, Edward J. Lafond, Sr. of Manchester, and by his siblings, Jay Lafond and his wife Susan of Albany, NY and Michelle Potter and her husband Glen of Hingham, MA. Beyond his immediate family, the loss of Rick is mourned by his nieces and nephews, Jared Lafond and his wife Kaley, Julianne Potter, Gavin Potter and Justin Lafond; as well as uncle, Richard Charpentier and his wife Pauline and their family; and by special friends, Larry Plourde and his family. He will doubtlessly be missed by countless other friends, acquaintances and co-workers -- among them the staff at the Allenstown Diner, where Rick was a regular customer.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Church, in Allenstown. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00am at the church entry. The family will privately inter Rick at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Manchester.

In honor of Rick’s deep love for animals, especially his dogs, we invite you to make a memorial donation to the NHSPCA (nhspca.org/donate-today/) in lieu of flowers. 

The Roan Family Funeral Home in Pembroke is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com