Robert Vaillancourt

Robert Lawrence Vaillancourt, 85, of 249 Fischer Circle Portsmouth, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002 at home surrounded by his family.He was the husband of Marguerite Pages Vaillancourt. Born in Highland Park, MI on February 13, 1917, he was the son of the late Edward and Marion Hatch Vaillancourt.Mr. Vaillancourt was educated in Detroit, Mich, and studied engineering at Dearborn and Lawrence Institute of Technology. He was drafted into the Army six months before Pearl Harbor and served until the end of World War II four and a half years later. He participated in the Italian campaign, in the landing in Salerno, Anzio, and the siege of Monte Cassino with the Fifth Army Ordinance. Mr. Vaillancourt was a builder and a land developer in Asheville, N.C., and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Home Builders before settling in Portsmouth 31 years ago. He loved boating, fishing and outdoor activities. Mr. Vaillancourt was a master kite builder and storyteller. Besides his wife of 56 years he is survived by his son Philip L Vaillancourt of Portsmouth, RI, two daughters Diane K Vaillancourt of Santa Cruz, CA, and Christine J Vaillancourt of Boston, MA, his brother Russell Vaillancourt of Bradenton, FL, five grandchildren, one great grandson, and two nephews Charles and Jacques Pages who he helped raise.He was the brother of the late Eleanor Nief and Mildred Somes. His funeral will be held Thursday, April 4, 2002 at 11:30 AM in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth. Donations may be made in his memory to the Visiting Nurse Service Hospice Of Newport Bristol Cos, 1184 East Main, Portsmouth, RI 02871.