Cornish, NH – On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Michael D. Monette passed away surrounded by his family. On December 19,1956 Mike was born to Pauline (Tierney) and Donald Monette. One of six boys in the family, Mike grew up on Dingleton Hill in Cornish, NH running amok with his brothers. Mike attended Cornish Elementary School and Windsor High School. Following high school, Mike worked on Duane Allen’s farm and house construction with Nate Cass, before starting at the Cornish Highway Garage, where he met his future wife, Robin Johnson. Mike and Robin got married on February 25, 1984. Their two sons, Joshua and Daniel, were born over the next two years. Josh and Dan were Mike’s pride and joy. He taught them how to fix everything under the sun.
Mike worked at Kimball Union Academy for seventeen years where he maintained grounds and managed the hockey rink. He later maintained Cornish Elementary School for twenty years. “Mr. Mike”, as the students call him, retired in 2018, around the time his first grandson was born. During his retirement, he started his second career of becoming Grandpa. He loved looking after his grandchildren, even when they terrorized him.
A lifelong resident of Cornish, Mike was a dedicated member of the community. Mike was the Master of the Cornish Grange for many years. He became a member of the Cornish Fire Department in 1975 and remained a dedicated member for decades. He was the Cornish Fire Chief from 1991 to 1996 and was Assistant Fire Chief for the eleven years before. Mike and the Cornish Fire Association ran bingo for numerous years, which generated enough funds to build two new fire stations in town and purchase a new fire truck. After he retired, he became the town Sexton, and ran the recycling center every Saturday.
Mike’s hobbies included driving around on tractors and picking strawberries with his grandchildren, watching old war movies, and exploring the culinary world of frankfurters. He loved nothing more than cuddling with his grandchildren as they took a snooze on him.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, Pauline and Donald Monette and his brother, Joseph Monette. He is survived by his wife, Robin Monette, his sons Joshua (Rosa) Monette, Daniel (Sarah) Monette, his grandchildren, Calvin, Oswald, and Allison Monette, and his brothers, Peter, William, Steven, and David Monette, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
The family would like to show sincere appreciation to Billy Monette, for the daily dinners and conversation, and Bill and Kathy Newton for being the best neighbors anyone could ask for.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Edminster Cemetery in Cornish. Afterward, there will be a gathering at the fire station in Cornish Flat. Light refreshments will be provided. Mike was an avid John Deere fan. Instead of formal attire, please wear any John Deere hats or t-shirts in remembrance of Mike. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cornish Fire Department.
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