Richard E. Bonenfant ... formerly of Somersworth; at 80

MESA, Ariz. - Richard E. Bonenfant, 80, of Mesa, died on October 3, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born December 19, 1940 in Dover, to Alphonse and Madeline (Marcotte) Bonenfant and attended Dover schools, graduating in 1958. He enlisted in the Navy serving from 1959-1962.

He was a resident of Somersworth, and a longtime employee at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he worked as a Shipfitter. He enjoyed an early retirement in 1994 and moved to Mesa in 2000. He loved the warm weather and beautiful landscape of the Southwest.

He was a member of the American Legion in Apache Junction, and Rollinsford, N.H.. He was also a lifelong member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Dover, N.H. and Apache Junction. He was a big fan of the New England Patriots, loved cooking, fishing, hunting and Elvis. He was not successful at hunting, however. One year, his wife said, for Christmas, she would buy him a hunting knife that had a picture of a deer on it just so he would know what to look for when he was in the woods. That, to the delight of his daughters, didn't work either. He was happiest spending time with his buddies at the Legion discussing and offering solutions to the problems that plagued the world. He was a man of few words but when he sang along with Elvis, his voice was that of an angel.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara; son Peter Dent and his wife Nancy of Somersworth; daughter Kelley Orten and her husband Dodd of Lebanon, Maine; daughter Laurie Bythrow of Weymouth, Mass; daughter Robin Edmunds and her husband David Pearce of Ocala, FLa; sister Lona Sailers of Dover. He had seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister June Yerxa, brother Paul Bonenfant, granddaughter Laura Cole and son in law Michael Bythrow.