Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center

12/26/2025

Will you or a loved one need Medicaid assistance to cover long-term care someday? If so, check out this article to learn some little-known tips on how funeral planning can help you spend down to qualify for Medicaid.

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12/25/2025

May you feel the friendship, warmth, and joy of those you love this season. Merry Christmas!

12/25/2025

All of us here at Cournoyer Funeral Home wish our friends and neighbors peace, joy and all the best the holiday has to offer. May this season of giving and spending time with family bring you joy and happiness not just today but throughout the year. And may God's grace be with you.

12/24/2025

Are you ready to refresh your space before hosting for the holidays? Take a look at an interior designer’s rules for arranging your furniture!

Interior designers have developed a set of rules you can use to ensure you're arranging your furniture in just the right way to look beautiful and be a comfortable space for you to enjoy.

12/24/2025

Ares James Monkton

Ares J. Monkton, a beautiful and deeply cherished baby boy, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, at just twelve weeks old, wrapped in love and surrounded by the hearts that adored him beyond measure.

Born on September 17, 2025, Ares entered the world like a soft light, brief yet radiant. In his short time on earth, he gave his family a lifetime of love. His tiny hands, gentle presence, and sweet, knowing expressions brought comfort, joy, and wonder to all who were blessed to hold him, see him, or simply feel his quiet strength. Every moment with Ares was treasured, and every breath he took was a gift. Though his time was far too short, his impact was infinite, and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, forever unchanged by time.

Ares was profoundly loved by his parents, Chris and Alexsis Monkton, who held him with unwavering devotion and endless tenderness. He is also lovingly remembered by his siblings, Hayden, Autumn, Hadley, Bella, Benjamin, and Atlas, who will always carry him with them as a part of their family and their story. He leaves behind grandparents Naomi Clark; Dan and Tina Clark; John and Cassie Anderson; Donald Monkton; along with many extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by his gentle spirit.

Though Ares’s life was brief, his love was boundless. He will be carried always in whispered prayers, in quiet moments, and in the enduring love of those who will never forget him.

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours for Ares, which will be held at Hope Fellowship Church, located at 16 Prescott Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM, with a celebration of life afterward at Avenue A Teen and Community Center, located at 4 Aiken St, Antrim, NH 03440.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ares’s name to The Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center.

View Ares James Monkton's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/22/2025

12/22/2025

Edwin Mattson, Jr.

Edwin O. Mattson, Jr., age 82, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was born on December 15, 1942, in Keene, New Hampshire, to Edwin O. Mattson, Sr., and Elizabeth Mae (Whitcomb) Jacques.

Edwin graduated from Keene High School in 1960 and proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, earning an honorable discharge in 1965.

He began his lifelong career in public service at the age of 16 by joining the Fitzwilliam Fire Department in 1958. Edwin was certified as a Firefighter Level 2, Hazmat Operations Specialist, and Emergency Medical Technician Basic, and proudly served as Fire Chief from 1967 to 1986 and again from 2010 to 2014, before retiring as a Senior Member. He served as Deputy Fire Marshall for New Hampshire from 2001 to 2013 and as President of the Meadowood County Area Fire Department Board of Directors, remaining an active member until his passing.

Edwin dedicated 44 years to Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid (SWNHDFMA), beginning in 1966 and retiring in 2021, including a part-time return in 1998 as Lieutenant. Colleagues fondly referred to him as “the man, the myth, the legend,” a testament to his knowledge, calm demeanor, integrity, and the respect he earned throughout his career. He helped the Town of Fitzwilliam purchase its first ambulance, served as Forest Fire Warden for over 50 years, and was a longtime Cemetery Commissioner.

Beyond firefighting, Edwin served the Fitzwilliam community in many capacities. He was Road Agent for 10 years, earning recognition as a Master Road Scholar and serving on the NH Road Agents Association Board of Directors, including a term as treasurer. In 2018, he founded his own heavy equipment business, handling hauling, plowing, and mowing.

Fondly known as “Junior,” “Ed,” or “Eddie,” Edwin will be remembered for his devotion to family, lifelong service to his community, and the love and guidance he shared with all who knew him. His legacy of dedication, compassion, and knowledge will live on through the generations he cherished so deeply.

In his personal time, Edwin enjoyed hunting and fishing, reading and watching World War II programs, and playing cards, including pinochle, canasta, and cribbage. He was a lifelong animal lover with a special interest in the German Shepherd canine breed. Additionally, his vast knowledge of local history was unmatched.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sandra Elaine (Pelkey) Mattson of Fitzwilliam, NH; his children, Gregory A. Mattson and his wife, Susan, of Bernardston, MA, Jodi L. Mattson of Fitzwilliam, NH, and Jill M. Mattson-Whipple and her husband, Christopher, of Fitzwilliam, NH; grandchildren Hayley Johnson, Keith Mattson, Emily Patnode, Alexander Patnode, Jacob Mattson-Whipple, Kayla Whipple, and Krystyna Whipple; great-grandchildren Hunter Borgeson, Rieley Warner, Reid Mattson, Natalie Patnode, Lucas Mattson, Miles Mattson, Zoey Patnode, and Seneca Johnson; his siblings, Jean-Claude Therer and his wife, Marie-Jeanne, of Verviers, Belgium, Bonnie M. Jones and her husband, Quentin, of Fitzwilliam, NH, and JeanAnn Mattson of Fitzwilliam, NH; his sister-in-law, Elaine Mattson of Winchendon, MA; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Robert W. Mattson, in 2017, and by his parents, Edwin O. Mattson, Sr., in 1985, and Elizabeth Mae (Whitcomb) Jacques, in 1996.

Calling hours for Ed will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Hope Fellowship Church, 16 Prescott Road, Jaffrey, NH 03452. All Departments are invited to a Walkthrough which will begin at 3:00pm and will be followed by the traditional visitation until 6:00 pm.

Ed’s funeral service will be held at Hope Fellowship Church on Saturday, January 10, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM with Military Honors rendered by the US Air Force. Ed will be laid to rest in the spring at Pine Grove Cemetery in Fitzwilliam, NH in a private family ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions in Ed’s name to a scholarship established in his name for upcoming EMS and Fire Science Students in the Monadnock Region.

Donations may be mailed to:

Fire, Rescue & EMS Association of Fitzwilliam, NH Inc.

P.O. Box 443

Fitzwilliam, NH 03447

Donations may also be made electronically by going to: http://spot.fund/EdMattsonMemorialScholarship

View Edwin Mattson, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/21/2025

As we mark the first day of winter, how do you plan to enjoy the idle hours of winter? Reading, puzzle-making, painting, writing, skiing?

12/19/2025

Is there a grieving child in your life this holiday season? If you’d like to learn several ways you can offer support and love when times of grief arise, check out this helpful article with 10 compassionate actions you can take to care for yourself and a grieving child this Christmas.

Is there a grieving child in your life this Christmas? Check out these 10 suggestions for ways you can offer support over the holidays.

12/18/2025

Deborah T. Roberts

Deborah Train Roberts, wife of Dr. Richard B. Roberts, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Peterborough, New Hampshire, with her husband and her brother by her side. She was 87 years old.

Born Deborah Train Smith on January 17, 1938, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Russell Train Smith, who was the Head of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for twenty five years and the founder of the art department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Deborah was a direct descendent of the revolutionary war General Benjamin Lincoln, the granddaughter of Broadway actor Henry J. Hadfield and the grandniece of Florence Gill of the Disney Studios.

Deborah received her early education at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, MA, followed by high school at Milton Academy, and graduated summa cm laude from Smith College with a degree in religion. She continued her studies in religious drama at Union Theological Seminary in New York while studying acting with Mira Rostova and later with John Strasberg.

Deborah devoted her life to the dramatic arts, following in the footsteps of her maternal grandparents and her mother. Deborah’s career was marked by passion, generosity, and a deep belief in the transformative power of theater. She served for many years as Head of the Drama Department at the Kaplen JCC in Tenafly, New Jersey, where she inspired countless young people to discover confidence, creativity, and the magic she believed lived within everyone. In 2019, she and Richard retired to New Hampshire, where she had spent her summers since she was a young girl apprenticing at the Peterborough Players. She earned her Actors’ Equity card playing Anne Frank’s sister in The Diary of Anne Frank at The Peterborough Players.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Richard B. Roberts; her brother, Henry F. Smith; her children, Bryan E. Roberts, Gwyneth B. Roberts, Hannah L. Miller and five grandchildren. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother and sister, an inspiring teacher, and a woman of warmth, intellect, and enduring grace.

A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 51 Concord St, Peterborough, on Saturday, January 24, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at her son’s home in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to make contributions in Deborah’s memory to the Apprenticeship Program at The Peterborough Players, P.O. Box 118, Peterborough, NH 03458, or by going to their website at (https://www.peterboroughplayers.org/fundthefuture.html), honoring her lifelong dedication to the arts and the joy she found in nurturing creativity in others.

View Deborah T. Roberts's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/17/2025

Online shopping is more popular than ever, especially during the holidays. However, not all sites have good intentions for buyers. Click the link below to learn how you can keep your shopping merry instead of dreary! cutt.ly/7-holiday-season-tips

12/15/2025

Raymond A. Simard

Raymond A. Simard, of Dublin, NH, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 11, 2025. He had celebrated his 90th birthday on October 1st and his 67th wedding anniversary November 15th.

Ray was one of four children to Elphege and Germaine Simard of Manchester, NH. He is survived by his brother Norman Simard of Florida and his ‘kid brother’ Richard Mailloux of Florida.

Ray was a devoted husband and father to his wife and family. They were the heart and soul of his life. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Simard, and his four daughters, Gina Simard, Marie Lovy, Cheryl Demers, Alena Pardoe, and their families. Extended family, including grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as countless friends.

Ray spent over 30 years as a machinist for the New Hampshire Ball Bearing. He also served in the Army National Guard for 25 years, taught NH Hunter Safety for 50 years and was a major contributor to building the Peterborough Sportsman’s Club. But his real love was his gunsmithing business which he ran from his home, working until just weeks before his death. He spent many hours in his basement working on his craft and sharing stories with the many friends who would come to visit daily.

Fond memories of Ray include hunting in Northern Maine, stalking grouse with his hunting companions. Traveling to Alaska by military plane to catch salmon, caribou hunting in Northern Canada and the many family trips camping with his cherished family.

Ray was a story teller to all who would listen. He had a wealth of knowledge about the natural world as well as great talent with building things. His 4th of July canon shoots held for years will be greatly missed.

"Ray was a true friend. He showed me how to treat people with kindness and to be gentle. I felt pretty lucky to know him. I will forever be grateful for his friendship."

All are invited to visit with Ray’s family and celebrate his life together on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street (US Route 202) Jaffrey, NH 03452.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Ray’s name to the American Cancer Society.

View Raymond A. Simard's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.