Hampton Grieves Passing of Vic Lessard, 'Bank of Knowledge'

Thursday was an immeasurably sad day for many Hampton officials and longtime residents, as news has spread that Robert "Vic" Lessard, a heavily involved member of the community and the zoning board's chairman, passed away Wednesday night.

Town Manager Fred Welch said Lessard was "bigger than a big part" of Hampton and the Seacoast area while describing a knowledgeable and caring man "everyone knows."

Welch said Lessard has been one of the most "instrumental" figures in Hampton government and business since Lessard first took office in 1972. Lessard, who also owned Lessard and Sons, an excavation and wrecking service, "saw all these things happen and was a part of them," according to Welch.

"He was our bank of knowledge when it came to things in the community, and that's going to be missed," said Welch, who said it was "not easy" to talk about Lessard's passing. "He's a personal friend. I'm going to miss him terribly. He was just an asset and friendly to everyone. He was a kind of guy you went to and he made sure the problem was solved. The old school."

Lessard, 79, also served on the Hampton Board of Selectmen, and another longtime Hampton official said Lessard's leadership and kindness made a dramatic impact on her during her first term in 1978.

"He gave us a lot of wisdom," said Selectman Mary-Louise Woolsey. "I basically learned from him. Sometimes he might have regretted it, but I learned from him. One thing that he said that has stuck with me for all my years is that, 'The only thing that matters is that it's for the good of the town.'"

Woolsey said the town will dedicate the 2013 annual report to Lessard, whom she said put in a "lot of years of hard work" for Hampton.

"If could say [what his legacy in Hampton will be] in one word, I would say 'dedication,'" said Woolsey. "It takes a lot of patience to do that." 

Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan said his department as well as the Hampton Fire Department responded to a medical aid call at the Lessard home at 100 Timber Swamp Road around 5 p.m. Wednesday. One individual was transported to the hospital following the response to that call, according to Sullivan.

Hampton-North Hampton Patch will not be releasing further details about the medical aid call or events at the hospital.

Messages have been left with members of the Lessard family.




Patch will have more information shortly.