CLAREMONT, N.H. – André (Andy) Victor Dufresne passed away at the age of 77, following a period of failing health on March 9, at Valley Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 8, 1946, in Hardwick, VT, to Norbert and Mabel (Richardson) Dufresne. Andy was named after a blessed cousin, Brother André Bessette, who was canonized into sainthood in October 2010 in Italy at the Vatican, which he and his sister Bernice attended.
Andy grew up on the family farm in Putney, VT and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1964. Upon graduating, he entered the U.S. Navy. He served from 1964 to 1967 on the USS Albany and then the USS Yosemite where he held the rank of IC3. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Upon returning from the Navy, he moved to Claremont, NH, where he worked at Holsum Bakery. It was there that he met his wife, Virginia Cummings whom he married on June 1, 1968, having three children. He then went to work for New England Telephone Company (Verizon) until his retirement in 1996.
Andy was a lifetime member of VFW Post 808 and Polish American Citizens Club. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 29 and a former member of the Moose.
Andy is survived by his wife, Virginia, to whom he was married for 55 years and their three daughters, Mabel Bertot (Michael) of West Warwick, RI, Kathy Webster and Mary Judd both of Claremont, NH; six grandchildren, Nicholas, Daniel, Rhiannon Bertot, Victoria, Alysha Webster, and Mariah Dufresne; two great grandchildren, Allyssialyn Furtado and David Dufresne. He is also survived by two sisters, Bernice Taylor of Keene, NH and Elaine Dupont of Painsville, Ohio and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by his parents and his brother, Leopold Dufresne of Marshfield, VT.
A local celebration of life will be held at a later date with a burial in Hardwick, VT, at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial gift be made in his memory to the D.A.V.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Golden Cross Ambulance, Claremont Fire Department, the staff at Valley Regional Hospital, Dartmouth Health, Mount Ascutney Hospital, and a very special thank you to Valley Regional Hospital’s charge nurse Kim for all that she did for our father.
