Robert Edward Chandonnet

Robert E. Chandonnet Sr., 98, passed away on September 24, 2026.

Born on October 19, 1927 in Manchester, N.H. He was the son of Bertrand and Simone (Cimon) Chandonnet. He was a WWII Navy Veteran and also a reservist during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge from the service. He worked at a few local facilities until he was appointed to the Manchester N.H. Fire Department on December 1st 1956. Robert was promoted to Lieutenant on April 7, 1974 and to Captain in February 1979. During his years in the Fire Department he was active in department and community affairs.

Bob retired from the Fire Department on April 1st, 1982. Bob always said that Firefighting was a challenging and exciting career as when you arrived at your station, you didn't know what you would be doing in the next few minutes. As Captain of Engine 11 he was very proud of his associates at the Central Station, all dedicated professional Firefighters.

Bob became interested with aircrafts at a very early age and asked his parents if he could have an airplane ride for his 11th birthday, so his Mom drove him to the, then called Manchester Municipal Airport, and there was an old biplane parked nearby. Pilot Carl Parks was there ready to go and asked Bob if he wanted a bit of stunts and the result of the agreed to rolls etc. was a bit of airsickness. Later in life he realized his dream of becoming a certified pilot. Later he received a call from Manchester, N.H. Wright Brothers Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Bob accepted and was designated as the Training and Flight Officer Second Lieutenant.

On September 28th, 1948, Bob and Jeanne St. Laurent went on their very first date, a movie at the Strand Theater and dinner at Lee's Restaurant. After their third or so date Bob told his mother that Jeanne was the girl he would ask to marry someday, soon they were going steady and on June 16th, 1951, were married at St. Anthony's Church in Manchester, N.H. Then as years went by their dreams of travelling abroad became a reality starting with a trip to Bermuda on their 25th anniversary and an extended vacation on the islands of Maui and Oahu Hawaii celebrating their 50th Anniversary. Later they cruised the Eastern and Western Caribbean Seas aboard Holland American Ships. The ultimate trips were a bus tour through France and the 2-week Viking River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Vienna and Paris were their favorite stops. Bob and Jeanne also enjoyed several years aboard their Cruiser Wanderlust on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Bob was dedicated to his faith and church, as well as being a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and past Grand Knight at the Council at Sacred Heart Parish in Laconia, N.H.

On June 21st, 2026 his son Ronald hosted a 75th Wedding Anniversary party for Robert and Jeanne at the Puritan with 52 guests in attendance.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne with whom he shared over 75 wonderful years. Also, his son Ronald D. Chandonnet and sister Diane Labrie and husband Bob of Belmont, N.H.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved son Robert E. Chandonnet Jr. ;his brother Louis G. Chandonnet; and his sister Annette Fontaine.

Services: A Visitation will be held on October 6th, 2026 from 10:00am-11:30am at Lambert Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 6th, 2026 at 12:00pm at St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Burial will follow at St. Augustin Cemetery.