LAURIER GILFORD — Carolus A. Laurier, 93, formerly of Gilford, passed away at Golden View Health Care Center in Meredith on June 29, 2012.

Carl was born on April 1, 1919, in Manchester, the son of Charles Albert Laurier of Quebec and Eva (Audette) Laurier. Carl was a nephew of Sir Wilfred Laurier, former Prime Minister of

Canada, who died in the year of Carl’s birth, 1919.

Carl grew up in Manchester, where his father worked as an agent of the Canadian Government. After his father’s death in 1927, the family moved to

Laconia.

Upon graduating from Laconia High School, he went to work at Scott & Williams. He became a machinist-tool maker, as well as department foreman and superintendent. Over the years, he learned metallurgy and mechanical engineering while working at Scott & Williams, Titeflex Corp. in Massachusetts, and Kingsbury Machine Tool Corp. in Keene, where he was head of the quality control department.

Carl served as a selectman for the towns of Stoddard and Gilford.

He was a member of the Congregational Church of East Longmeadow, Mass., and the Congregational Church of Laconia.

He also was a member of the Elks lodges of Keene and Laconia.

Upon his retirement in 1983 from Kingsbury, Carl and his wife, Susanna, moved to Gilford. Carl worked part-time at Cooper Products in Laconia until final retirement several years later.

Carl had a love for music and, as a young man, learned how to play the coronet. He became an accomplished musician, wellknown throughout the New England area. He played in several bands during the Big Band Era, filling in with many notable bands playing in the East. Carl also enjoyed jam sessions with his musician buddies. Carl and the band performed at the Winnipesaukee Gardens and at the Alton Bay Pavilion. He performed in the summer open concerts in Gilford, Wolfeboro, and Center Harbor. He was the oldest volunteer member at that time, being 89-years-young. His music could be heard on old “78” vinyl records, as well as a couple of newer CDs produced by some of the bands he played in.

Carl was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life. He was a skilled hunter and an exceptional marksman. Canoeing, hiking, and fishing brought great joy to him. He was active in most all sports as a youth, which gave him great physical abilities and stamina for his many outdoor adventures. Carl was part Native American of the Quebec Cree Tribe and he had a thorough understanding of the natural world. He practiced the “Way of the Forest, Waters, and Creatures” and he possessed great reverence for all things in nature.

Carl was predeceased by wives Blendena (Durand) Laurier and Susanna (Nelson) Laurier.

He is survived by daughters Patricia A. Ryll of West Springfield, Mass., and Nancy L. O’Callaghan of Meredith; son James A. Laurier of Keene; grandchildren Christine Ryll of Darien, Conn., Jeffrey Ryll of West Springfield, Mass., and Wendy Murdock of Buford, Ga.; sister Marcelline Ghiotti of Florida; nephews Joseph Ghiotti Jr. and Michael Ghiotti; and a niece, Bonnie Borden, all of Florida.

There will be no calling hours.

Graveside services will be at a later date, followed by a celebration of his life.

For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Central NH VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main St., Laconia NH 03246; or to the NH Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia NH 03247.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.