1932 – 2016

CANTON — Henry P. Desroches, 84, died on Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation Center in Canton. He was a resident of Bradley Street in Dixfield.

He was born in Mexico on Jan. 3, 1932, a son of Lawrence and Josephine (Richard) Desroches. Henry was a graduate of Mexico High School and served in the U.S. Army as a corporal from 1952 to 1954. He owned and operated Henry’s Service Stations in Mexico and Dixfield.

Henry was a communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior, St. Athanasius – St. John Church in Rumford. He was also a member of the Dixfield Lions Club, King Hiram Lodge in Dixfield, Kora Temple Shrine, where he was a former ambassador, Dixfield American Legion and Webb River Sportsman Club of Dixfield. He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. He loved to play cribbage and like to play “Deep.”

Henry was married in Rumford on April 7, 1956, to Beverly MacKinnon who survives of Dixfield. Other survivors include his two daughters, Debbie Watson and her husband, Robert, of Virginia and Shelly Harlow and her husband, Jeff, of Dixfield; grandchildren, Bethany Watson and her partner, Dr. Mike Rolen, Robert Watson and Sarah Gilbert and her husband, Peter, all of Virginia, Benjamin Harlow and Nicholas Harlow of Dixfield; great-grandchildren, Madeleine Gilbert and Donovan Gilbert of Virginia; a brother, Joseph Desroches and his wife, Helen, of Massachusetts.

He was predeceased by his parents; and three brothers, Melvin, James and the Rev. Wilfred Desroches.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Rumford Hospital, Dr. Deluca, Dr. Ledesma, Dr. Lynds and to Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation Center for their care and kindness.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.