Davey E. Nadeau

He was born March 25, 1931, in Jay, Maine, the son of Eugene and Lillian (Petley) Nadeau. He was a 1950 graduate of Madison High School, in Madison, Maine. He went on to proudly serve our nation as a member of the United States Air Force from September 1951 until he was honorably discharged in April 1953. On June 9, 1956, he married the love of his life, Mary Gasperoni. He often referred to her as “the best thing that ever happened to me.”

He had a lifelong passion for automobiles. He loved to buy and restore them to their original beauty, then find new owners who would appreciate their value and unique qualities. He was especially proud of his 1959 Ford, which he drove in the production of the movie Jumanji. He was well known in the area for belonging to antique car clubs and attending weekly car shows. When he was younger he enjoyed building and racing stock cars in Keene. Throughout his life, he loved dancing to the sound of the 40’s and 50’s Big Band music.

For many years he worked for Robertson Motors and Fairfield’s Auto in Keene.

Throughout his life he was devoted to the care of and provision for his family. Being a father, grandfather and great-grandfather brought him great joy. He loved hearing his grandchildren say “PopPop”, “Grandpa”, “PaPa” and “Pops”. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially during family gatherings. He had a very special place in his heart for his Boston Terriers. Coco and Charlie were his two constant companions.

He was very involved in the community in which he lived. In addition to serving as a Selectman for the Town of Surry, he also served as a volunteer for the Surry Fire Department. He was a member of the Lion’s Club and was also a member of the American Legion, Post 4 in Keene.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years: Mary E. Nadeau of Surry, two daughters: Bonny Nadeau-LaRocca and her husband Chris of Surry, and Kimberly Carbee and her companion, William Nugent of Hebron, NH; four sons: Michael Nadeau and his wife Lynne of Salem, NH, William Quintilio of Brattleboro, VT, Bryan Nadeau of Surry; and Keith Nadeau and his wife Alison Brodie of Keene; fourteen grandchildren: Sarah LaRocca, Rachel LaRocca, Jacob LaRocca, Caleb LaRocca, Julie Nadeau, Claire Nadeau, Justin Carbee, Alison Hobart, Chad Carbee, Emily Gehly, Dori Nadeau, Adam Nadeau, Pearl Allen and Davey E. Nadeau, II; six great-grandchildren: Dominic, Juliette, Ryan, Cameron, Jackson and Grace, his sister, Catherine Frost and her husband Robert of Maine; three sisters-in-law: Barbara Palioca of Oregon, Joan Lounsbury of Swanzey and Nancy Gasperoni of North Carolina, his brother-in-law; Richard Gasperoni and his wife Sally of Massachusetts, Jenny Nadeau of Walpole, Karen Gehly of Vermont, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A funeral service will be held at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at 1pm. Burial will follow in the Surry Village Cemetery, Village Road, Surry. Family and friends are invited to call on the family from 11:30am to 1pm on Tuesday.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Keene-Elm City Rotary Club, Youth Projects, PO Box 1786, Keene, NH. 03431, in lieu of flowers.