Sylvio "Sonny" Goulet

Sylvio "Sonny" A. Goulet, a lifelong resident of Manchester, NH passed away of heart failure Oct. 3, 2018 at Elliot Hospital with his wife and family by his side. Born Oct. 4, 1935, he was the son of Sylvio O. and Irene (Vezina) Goulet. He attended Manchester Central High School and proudly served ten years in the US Army Reserves, including 2 years of active duty during the Cuban missile crisis.

Sonny met his first wife, C. Therese "Terrie" Mondor at Manchester's Lafayette Club and they married in 1958. The two shared a love of music and often performed together, including the Knights of Columbus "Nights to Remember" variety shows and as part of a weekend band at Canobie Lake Park. They volunteered at bingo nights and did other charitable work for the Knights of Columbus. They raised four children together and enjoyed 36 years of marriage before Terrie's death in 1994.

In 2002, Sonny met his second wife, Susan Campbell, when the two performed with the Hooksett Entertainers. They enjoyed the simple things in life: drives up the Maine coast with their dog Callie, hot dogs at Cremeland, visits to Massabesic Lake, theater shows, and concerts. They played with the Hooksett Minstrels; the Rainbow Theatre, a performance group for developmentally challenged youth and adults; and for the Palace Theater's senior musical troupe, The Silver Stars. They were very active with their East Congregational United Church of Christ family in Concord where Sonny served as a Trustee, volunteered at fund raising suppers and fairs, and was involved in other charitable projects, governance committees, musical performances, and special events.

Sonny was employed by Sanco, an industrial engineering company, Manchester Coal and Oil (now Dead River Co.) as an appliance/burner technician and service manager, and City Fuel as a dispatcher. As a result of the 42 years he spent working for fuel companies, Sonny knew virtually every street in Manchester.

Sonny's primary avocations were as a drummer and volunteer for charitable organizations. Starting at age 18, he played with the Lafayette Snowshoers Drum and Bugle Corps and later was a drum teacher and coach to youths in the Muchachos Drum and Bugle Corps. He performed with the Don Gelinas Orchestra at clubs and senior homes, the American Legion Sweeney Post Band, and the Amoskeag Strummers, a Dixieland jazz band that performed at summer concerts, parades, and private functions.

Sonny was happiest when he was fully engaged socially with others. He had a clever wit and dry humor, and people loved to be the subject of his good-natured teasing. He particularly enjoyed interacting with young children, as they were drawn to his quiet but amusing antics. He was a dependable and generous friend and cared deeply for and was proud of his family.

Sonny is survived by his wife, Susan; his sons Donald and wife Jane, and Daniel and wife Debbie, of Manchester; his daughters Denise Hutchins and husband John of Belmont, and Carlene Rose and husband David of New Hampton; his "adopted" daughter, Gia (Tsivoulis) Dreiss of Miami, Florida; grandchildren Sarah (Goulet) Bellofatto of Greenville, SC, Tina (Goulet) Byrd of Manchester, Gary Goulet of Litchfield, Bryant Goulet of Manchester, Kevin and Cody Rose of New Hampton, Benjamin and Jeffrey Hutchins of Belmont; his great-grandchildren Courtney, Brendan and Jared Bellofatto and Beau Goulet; his nephew Bradley Newton of Raymond, and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

SERVICES: Friends and relatives may offer their condolences on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 at 10:00 am at East Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 Mountain Road, Concord, NH 03301. A memorial service officiated by Rev. Michael Lowry will immediately follow at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sonny's memory to East Church UCC.