Arthur L. Durette

June 19, 1940 - November 25, 2021

COLUMBIA – Arthur “Artie” L. Durette, 81, passed away at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.H., on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, after a short battle with COVID-19. He was born in Laconia, N.H., on June 19, 1940, a son to the late Oliver I. and Clara (Drake) Durette. He was raised in the Laconia and Meredith area and spent most of his life there before retiring to the North Country. Art did many jobs during his lifetime, including as a police officer in Tilton for a period of time, but his longest employer was Freudenberg-NOK where he was a quality control manager for tool and die (MTC) for many years. Art sang in a choir, his voice deep and memorable, and his family and friends also enjoyed hearing him sing and play his guitar around campfires. He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, boating, target shooting, and mudding (in a John Deere-colored jeep that he built). So talented yet modest, he could fix anything, build anything, i.e. a home (he designed and built a log cabin), cars, clocks, and an infamous cannon…you name it, he could do it. Art was always available to lend a hand. He could make anyone laugh, was such a quick wit and everyone just loved and adored him; he has a genuine smile in every photograph as he loved those who surrounded him. Known as an independent spirit, he loved to be at his camp at Big Diamond Pond in Stewartstown, and he enjoyed spending time around a campfire or “two for two at Bud’s” with friends. Artie was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and continued to drive his Harley-Davidson at the age of 80. Motorcycle trips with friends to Sturgis, SD, Nashville, Tenn., and riding the “Tail of Dragon” in NC were just a few of the things he crossed off his bucket list. He was a young 81; to know him was to love him and his zest for life. He is survived by his daughters, Cathleen (Durette) LaPierre and Heidi (Durette) Holt; son, Timothy Virgin and his wife Julie; a sister, Norma Boughton and her husband Mike; Christopher LaPierre (thought of as a son), 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends. There are no public services scheduled at this time. The family will hold a celebration of Artie’s life at his home in Columbia in the summer of 2022, of which notice will be given. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home.