James M. Legnard

Peterborough, NH James M. Legnard, 88, of Peterborough, NH died peacefully at Rivermead on March 1, 2016 after a period of declining health. Jim was born in Pittsburgh, PA on February 7, 1928 the son of James Gilbert Legnard and Mary (McGovern) Legnard. Jim was raised and attended schools in Pittsburgh, PA and served in the United States Army in California. After his service, he returned to Pittsburgh, where he received his Law Degree from Duquesne University and met and married his beloved wife, Wilma (Hossman). Jim and Wilma resided in Pittsburgh until they moved to Southern California where Jim worked for the United States Justice Department and later ITT Corporation. They relocated to Framingham, MA when Jim was promoted to ITT Regional Counsel for New England, a position he held for 30 years. Upon his retirement, Jim and Wilma moved to Peterborough, NH where they have resided for the past 16 years. Jim loved all sports and was particularly fond of his Boston College Eagles. He enjoyed playing golf and was an avid reader and historian. Jim loved to travel with Wilma by his side, and he was proud to say that they had visited more than 30 countries. He also enjoyed taking his whole family on road trips throughout the United States and made sure they saw everything there was to see. Jim always had a story to tell and a poem to recite, including his favorite, Casey at the Bat. While Jim loved all these things, what he loved best was his family. He never missed a game, a concert or the opportunity to play with his children and grandchildren. Jim was a devout Catholic and attended weekly Mass at Divine Mercy Parish in Peterborough. In addition to his loving wife of 65 years, Wilma M. Legnard, Jim is survived by his children; Sharon Riordan and her husband Jerry of Topsfield, MA, Donald Legnard of Bedford, MA, Dennis Legnard and his wife Lisa of Lexington, MA, Marijean Parry and her husband Charles of Jaffrey, NH and Kathleen Stowell and her husband Thom of Sutton, NH. Jim will be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren; Maggie, James, Daniel, Katie, Sarah, Anna and Edward, and his great granddaughter, Annie, his sisters Kathleen Vonderach and her husband, Steve of Sunnyvale, CA and Nancy Speer of Kathleen, GA, his sister-in-law, Joan Legnard of Annapolis, MD, his cousins, Robert of Bethel, CT , Charles McGovern of Siesta Key, FL, and Margaret Riffe of New Castle, NH as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. Jim was predeceased by his brothers Gilbert Legnard and Paul Legnard. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Jim's name to: The American Parkinson Disease Association in care of Diane Church at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, NH. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 7 at 1:00PM at Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH. Burial will take place at a later date.

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