Obituary of Albert Tessier

BARRINGTON — Albert J. Tessier, Jr., 68, of 115 Beauty Hill Road, died unexpectedly Monday, March 21, 2005, at his home.He was born in Rochester on Oct. 21, 1936, the son of Albert and Katherine (Ham) Tessier Sr. He had lived in Gonic for a number of years, prior to moving to Barrington in 1970. He was a U.S. Army veteran and he was a communicant of Chapel of the Nativity Catholic Church.He worked as a plumbing and heating technician for more than 35 years, most recently with Downeast Energy in Dover. After retirement, he became a school bus driver with Laidlaw Transportation. He loved the children he transported, and they loved him, with many sending him greeting cards during his illness.His interests included his church and being home with his family. He enjoyed fishing, without much luck, and found great joy in mowing his lawn with his garden tractor, often seen mowing after dark, with the headlights on. The members of his church will surely miss his singing during services.He was predeceased by two grandchildren, Ashley Knight in 1993 and Adam Ford in 1998.Surviving family members include his beloved wife of over 33 years, Cheryl (Joy) Tessier of Barrington; his children, James Cruz and his wife, Kelly, of Alton, Robert Cruz and his significant other, Wendy Bailey, of Alton, Peter Cruz and his wife, Lesley, of Dover, Michele Knight of Barrington and Sharon Wood of Jacksonville, Fla.; his sister, Constance Billings of Rochester; nine grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation at H.J. Grondin & Son Funeral Home, 177 North Main St., Rochester, will be Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. As is tradition during Holy Week, a Liturgy of the Word service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of the Nativity Catholic Church, Route 9 in Barrington. Burial will later this spring in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Rochester.It has been suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.GrondinFuneralHome.com