Joseph Paul 'Red' Lepine

BLOOMFIELD – Joseph Paul ‘Red’ Lepine, 82, of Bloomfield, Vt., passed away at his home on Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2016, after a short period of ill health. He was born on May 30, 1934, in St. Isidore, Québec, a son to the late Alphonse and Mary Louise (Perron) Lepine. Red served with honor in the U.S. Army as a French translator in Europe in the 1950s. Following his military service, he returned to northern Vermont and NH and was married to Pauline Poulin, and together they raised their family in Bloomfield. Red worked hard to support his family at many different jobs for many years. He worked as a heavy equipment operator at the Stratford Plywood Mill and later at the Groveton Paper Board, all the while also driving school bus in the towns of Groveton, Stratford and Colebrook. He continued as a school bus driver until only recently in Colebrook. Red also served his church and community, and took care of all the cemeteries in his area, including as volunteer sexton at Fairview Cemetery for more than 10 years, at the Sacred Heart and Baldwin Cemeteries in North Stratford, and the St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Bloomfield, never accepting compensation for his work. He was a well-known local auctioneer, and he worked as a beloved funeral assistant for many years at Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, again putting his translating skills to work. Red was a faithful communicant of Sacred Heart Church in North Stratford, and he loved to spend time with his family, of which he was extremely proud. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, and to spend time at hunting camp with his brothers. He enjoyed a bit of gambling once in awhile, too, and enjoyed an occasional scratch ticket and trips to Oxford Casino in Maine. His family will also remember Red as a wonderful cook and baker, who will be missed dearly by everyone. Red is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Pauline (Poulin) Lepine; five children, Susan Fuller and husband David of Bloomfield, Kathy Lepine of North Stratford, Theresa Lepine of Lancaster, Patricia Purrington of Colebrook, and Gerry Lepine and wife Mary of Lost Nation; his siblings, Aura Hodge of Littleton, NH, Jeannine Labrecque of Richmond, Que., Maurice Lepine and wife Shirley of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Daniel Lepine and wife Sue of Canaan; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and his faithful canine companion, Benji. He is predeceased by an infant daughter, Mary, and a sister, Rachel Lepine. Calling hours will be on Thursday, June 30, 2016, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the next day, Friday, July 1, at 2 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in North Stratford, with The Rev. Daniel Deveau as celebrant. Interment will be at a later date, with military honors, in the Fairview Cemetery in North Stratford. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Red may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, at 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements in NH are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Joseph Paul 'Red' Lepine

May 30, 1934 - June 25, 2016