NEWPORT, NH — Roger Norman Ducharme, 74, of Karlene St in Newport, New Hampshire, died December 15, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Born June 11, 1944 in Lebanon, NH, he was a son of the late Wilfred “Pete” and Helen (Dudley) Ducharme. He was predeceased by a daughter Jody Pardoe and a brother and a sister who died in infancy.
Roger loved sports. He grew up at the base of Storrs Hill in Lebanon where he learned to ski, ski jump and skate. He was a lifelong Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins fan with the player cards to prove it.
After graduating from Lebanon High School in 1962, he entered the local work force. In 1968, he married Donna Lee Pillsbury of Grantham, NH. That same year he enlisted in the Army, spending a full tour in Vietnam, mostly in the Mekong Delta. Upon returning stateside he taught communications in Fort Monmouth New Jersey for the remainder of his service.
Roger returned home to NH in 1971, working many jobs that put him in the public eye, first as a butcher for Dartmouth Co-op & Newport IGA, before purchasing the Newport Laundromat and Ice Cream Shop with his wife Donna. The two teamed up once again to run the Short Stop Market in Claremont for several years. Most folks will remember Roger as the public face of Jiffy Mart on Elm Street in Newport, where he excelled at early hours and number crunching with a friendly demeanor.
For the past couple years Roger and Donna wintered at Myrtle Beach with a group of close friends.
Roger had a mind like an elephant and the integrity of a monk. He cherished his family, friends, cats, and his service to his country.
Survivors include his loving wife Donna (Pillsbury) Ducharme; daughter Lori (Ducharme) Richer; sister Janet Ducharme; son in laws Peter Pardoe & Nathan Richer; granddaughters Alicia Rawson & Marlia Richer; grandsons Gareth Richer & Jeremy Pardoe & his spouse Megan; great granddaughter Jayden Foster; and loving nieces and nephews.
Military burial will be planned for the Spring at the NH State Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Disabled American Veterans Charity.