Jacques HEBERT

FRANKLIN -- Jacques "Jake" Hebert, 78, of Oak Street, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, at Merrimack County Nursing Home. He was born in Franklin on Oct. 25, 1926, the son of Henri and Lydia (Parenteau) Hebert. Jake resided in Franklin all of his life and was a graduate of Franklin High School, class of 1944. While in high school, he played football and ice hockey. He and his wife, Rita, wintered in Mesa, Ariz., for 20 years until Jake became ill. During his senior year in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he served during World War II. Prior to entering the military, he worked for the JP Stevens Co. Following the war, Jake was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for many years. He began his career in the Railway Mail Service and worked at the South Postal Annex in Boston and White River Sectional Center in Vermont. He later worked at the Franklin Post Office as a rural carrier. Mr. Hebert retired in 1982 after 30 years of service for the post office. Jake was a member of the Whiteman-Davidson American Legion Post No. 49 in Tilton and the Franklin Lodge of Elks No. 1280. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. AJ Timon Council No. 2170 in Franklin, in which he held several offices and was a former bingo chairman. Jake was also a member of the Fourth Degree Fr. AJ Timon Assembly. He was awarded his 4th Degree by the Council for his many years of work and dedication to the Knights of Columbus. He was a communicant of St. Paul Church. Mr. Hebert enjoyed flying and received his private pilot's license at age 56. He enjoyed hiking, especially in the New Hampshire mountains. Jake enjoyed the outdoors and also biked, jogged and enjoyed swimming. Family members include his wife of 54 years, Rita (Perreault) Hebert of Franklin; a daughter, Mrs. Jeanne Krueger of Gilbert, Ariz.; five sons, Paul Hebert and Mark Hebert, both of Northfield, Mike Hebert of Chandler, Ariz., Bruce Hebert of Laveen, Ariz., and Tom Hebert of Bridgewater; several grandchildren; a great-grandson; two brothers, Jean Louis Hebert of Manchester, Conn., and Henri Hebert of Bow; a sister, Pauline Mitchell of Burlington, Vt.; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Marcel Hebert, who died Nov. 29; and two sisters, Madeleine Betourny and Claire Kruger. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thibault-Neun Funeral Home, 143 Franklin St., Franklin. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Church. Burial will be held at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 10 Ferry St., Suite 427B, Concord 03301-4059; Merrimack County Nursing Home Activity Fund, 325 Daniel Webster Hwy., Boscawen 03303; or to St. Paul Church, P.O. Box 490, Franklin 03235. For more information, visit http://www.neunfuneralhomes.com.