Final Salute

GOFFSTOWN, N.H. – Richard Roland Bernier passed away on July 6, 2025, in Laconia, N.H.

Rich, aka “Jim” as he was known by his family, was born in Biddeford in 1946 to Oscar and Marie (Picard) Bernier. He took pride in his family ancestry going back to the original Founders of Quebec, Canada.

He graduated from Lawrence High School in Massachusetts and immediately joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served two combat tours in Vietnam as a Navy Seabee, Mobile Construction Battalion (MCB 1).

He became the Chaplain of the local chapter of Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Island X-4, a group dedicated to preserving Seabee history, promoting camaraderie and supporting veterans. He often said his greatest achievement was serving in the military.

Rich was predeceased by his parents; his siblings Norman Bernier, twin sisters Dolly Lajoie and Dot Robida and their husbands Willy and Ray, with whom he “couldn’t wait” to be reunited.

He is survived by his wife, Keri of 20 years; daughter and son-in-law, Jeannine and Kari Mettinen, stepsons Mark and Nick McCallum; and many adored nieces and nephews.

A committal service will be held on July 22 nd 1 p.m., at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303.

For more information or to sign an online guestbook please visit http://www.frenchandrising.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to be made to Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester, N.H.