Robert “Bob” Orton Schesser, 88, a resident of Keene, NH and former resident of Manchester, NH, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Monday, June 11, 2018, at Genesis HealthCare, Keene Center, following a brief period of declining health.
He was born October 13, 1929, in Lawrence, MA and was the only child of Paul and Ruby (Winter) Schesser. A 1947 graduate of Manchester West High who took a position as a route delivery salesman for Blakes Creamery upon graduation. Interestingly enough Bob was not yet old enough to hold a driver’s license and as a consequence drove one of the last horse drawn delivery vehicles in Manchester. He later enlisted in the US Army in 1951 where he served until his honorable discharge in 1954 at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. While serving in the Army, he married the love of his life: Elizabeth “Betty” A. Gage on June 13, 1953.
After his discharge from the Army, he and Betty returned to Manchester where he became a route salesman for Genest’s Bakery of Manchester, NH. In 1955, he submitted a bid for a route in Keene, NH, resulting in the move to Keene where the family settled. When Genest’s Bakery ceased delivering his bread to Keene he opted to purchase an Arnold Bread franchise where he became a self-employed Arnold route salesman servicing stores from Bennington, VT to Bellows Falls, VT. Bob was always known as a jovial individual who enjoyed interacting with the public to the point where many of his store customers took to referring to him as “Happy”. In the early days of their marriage, he and Betty started a family sandwich business, B & B Italian Sandwiches, to augment his bread delivery business, which they ran for over 18 years. Bob retired from Arnold Bread in 1989 at which time he focused his efforts on managing the family’s three, two tenement properties in Keene.
Bob was a loving Dad, and devoted Husband, who cherished time spent with family and friends. The family has several fond memories of summer cookouts and raft wrestling at Swanzey Lake along with annual family vacations to York Beach, ME and Myrtle Beach, SC. Bob was a compassionate and giving person who was always available to lend a helping hand to whoever was in need. Bob grew up during the golden age of horse racing and enjoyed following thoroughbred and harness racing as a regular at Hinsdale Race Track and later at Hinsdale OTB.
He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years: Elizabeth “Betty” A. (Gage) Schesser of Keene, two sons: Michael Schesser of Newmarket, NH and Scott Schesser (wife Donna) of Manchester, NH, two daughters: Barbara Pratt of Keene and Kathy Lamoureux and her partner Ed Smithers of Salem, CT, seven grandchildren: Brian Pratt (wife Ashley), Jason Pratt, Lacey Grace (husband Howard), Joshua Lamoureux (wife Kate), Matthew Lamoureux, Sydney Schesser, Daniel Schesser, three great-grandchildren: Lilah Pratt, Morgan Grace, and Sammy Lamoureux, his sister-in-law: Penny Gage of Yarmouth, ME., and several nieces, nephews and other extended family members. In addition to Betty, he is predeceased by his two sons-in-law: Timothy Pratt and Daniel Lamoureux.
In celebrating Bob’s life, the family takes solace in the recognizing than after a brief hiatus, Mom and Dad will be able to celebrate their 65th anniversary on 13 June 2018 together and that he is now free of his ailing physical body. Bob liked to work hard and play even harder so his was a life to be celebrated.
A graveside service will be held at the Pine Grove Cemetery, 765 Brown Ave, Manchester, NH on Wednesday, June 20th at 11:00 AM. Family and friends are invited to call on the family on Tuesday, June 19th, from 4 to 6 PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, West Chapter, 83 Court Street, Keene, NH. 03431 or to Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services, PO Box 564, 312 Marlboro St, Keene, NH 03431-0564.
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