James Lessard Ruel

James L. Ruel passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and family by his side on April 1, 2017, at the age of 83.

Born in Plymouth, NH on July 30, 1933, he was the son of Patrick and Elsie (Lessard) Ruel.

Jim's family moved to Meredith in 1938 when his father opened a barber shop in town and he graduated from Meredith High School, class of 1951.

Jim then joined the Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Perry DD844, during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the Griggs-Wyatt American Legion, Post #33, and he took great pride in marching in the Meredith Memorial Day Parade for many years.

Jim was a local barber in town for over 40 years. He started his career with his father on Water St., then moving his shop into the Horne Block building where his daughter Jane eventually joined him and then ending his career working with Jane at the present location of Ruel's Barber Shop on Main St.

Jim was passionate about sports and music. He played baseball and basketball while in school and he passed on those traditions to his children. This included his grandchildren and great grandchildren playing a sport or instrument. He was a great skier, managing to take all of his kids to a ski area on a Monday when he was on a day off. He was also known as great dancer to Big Band/Swing music, played the trumpet and spoons and just loved spending time with family and friends standing around a piano singing. After retirement and giving up skiing, his greatest enjoyment was wintering in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Most of all, he was a caring husband and father who set great examples to us all on how to be a family. Jim and Diane were always together, if you saw one of them the other was always close by. His presence will be sorely missed; however he left us all with great memories to never be forgotten.

James was predeceased by his son, Peter, who died in November of 2009.

James is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Diane (Mooney) Ruel, along with six children, Alan of Meredith, Michelle and husband Frank Wright of Melrose, MA, Patrick, Ann Marie and husband Mark Beauchemin, Jane and husband Brian Allen, all of Meredith. He had nine grandchildren, Jeff, Miranda, Wesly, and Jason Ruel, Nicholas and John Wright, Alec Beauchemin, and Kay-Lee and Landon Allen. Eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia and husband John Mitchell of Isleboro, ME and sister in-law, Alice Ladd of Meredith, along with many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be at the Mayhew Funeral Home in Meredith, NH, on Thursday, April 6, from 5-8 PM. There will be a prayer service held at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Meredith, on Friday, April 7, at 11:00 AM. The MSGR Gerald R. Belanger, pastor, will officiate. A graveside service will be held on May 26, 2017, at 11:00 AM, at the Meredith Village Cemetery.

At 10:30 AM on Friday, Dad will take his final ride down Main Street, where he spent many years of his life. If you happen to be on Main Street as he passes through, just give him a gentle wave good bye.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Meredith/Inter-Lakes Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1076, Meredith, NH 03253.