Wilfred Charles Cyr Jr.

ROCHESTER, N.H. – Wilfred Charles Cyr, Jr., 100 years young, passed away after a short illness at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.H. on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Wilfred was born on June 9, 1924, in Waterville to Wilfred C. Cyr and Melvina M. Cyr. Wilfred attended St. Francis de Sales parochial school where he learned to play hockey with the brothers with the nuns of the school as cheerleaders.

Wilfred was the youngest child of six. The eldest was his sister Lilian, then his brother, Guy, then his sister, Germaine Poulin, his sister, Theresa Lacroix and his brother, Bob.

At Waterville High School he played baseball and hockey. He received his letter “W” for hockey. He was chosen to be the starting left fielder for the team for his senior year but was drafted by the Army during World War II as a junior in high school at the age of 18.

He served as a private first-class during World War II in Europe from March 17. 1943, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 20, 1945. He served as part of the 776th AAA Liberty Bell Battalion, manning one of the 40mm anti-aircraft as the ammunition man and received five battle stars. He first arrived in England to guard the British Coast, then went to Utah Beach a few days after D-Day since his unit was semi-mobile and did not storm the beach on D-Day. In France, the French people would call him “Mr. Willy” and his fellow service mates would call him “Will Cyr, the Runner” when they played baseball for entertainment during the war. Wilfred was anxious to return home from the war because his mother was sick with cancer and died one month after he returned.

After returning from the war, Wilfred obtained a job working for the Wyandotte Worsted Mill on Front Street alongside the Kennebec River in Waterville and later at the new Wyandotte Mill on West River Road in Waterville.

Wilfred played semi-professional hockey for the Waterville Notre Dame hockey team and played on several softball league teams such as the Gamblers, Lane’s Beef and Rummels, where the Morning Sentinel daily newspaper would provide articles on the game highlights, score and league standing, occasionally mentioning Will Cyr’s performance. One year, the team went to the State finals for softball after beating Bangor and just lost to Portland for the State of Maine championship for that year. It was reported by several people who went to the games for regular entertainment, that Will Cyr would make spectacular catches in left field but most of all, would have the arm to throw the softball all the way to the catcher at home plate to throw out the runners.

While working at the mill on Front Street, he would bring peanuts to Lucille Marie Gagnon, whom he later married on Oct. 18, 1952, shortly after both of their fathers passed away. Their first child, John Anthony Cyr, was born July 2, 1960, in Waterville and passed away on Dec. 16, 1960. Their second child, Charles W. Cyr “Charlie”, was born on June 14, 1963, in Waterville.

Wilfred and Lucille enjoyed going out to eat once a week on their date and visiting family. In Waterville, Wilfred and Lucille practiced their faith and attended St. Francis De Sales Church and Notre Dame Church.

Wilfred retired in 1989 while working at the Cascade Woolen Mill in Oakland. Wilfred and Lucille lived in Waterville until 2007 and then moved to Rochester, N.H. to live with their son, Charlie. Lucille passed away in 2008.

In Rochester, Wilfred continued to go out almost every weekday and Saturday to the Rochester Public Library to read all of the World War II books available and the daily newspapers. The library staff even got more World War II books for him to read from other libraries and sources. He liked to eat out at Windjammers, Wild Willy Burgers, Little Miss Sofie’s, Friendly’s and occasionally Wendy’s in Rochester, N.H. after going to the library.

Wilfred drove until he was 93 years old and would go faithfully to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rochester, N.H. Later on, in 2018, Wilfred would attend and was part of the Freedom Point Church with his son, Charlie, and his daughter-in-law, Zeny Cyr. Wilfred had a deep faith in God and loved Jesus.

Wilfred was a lifetime fan of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics and later on the New England Patriots. He also enjoyed watching college football and March Madness basketball.

He is survived by his son, Charlie, his daughter-in-law, Zeny Cyr; his three step-granddaughters, Kristel Lee, Jazel Lee and Leizel Ane Lee; and his step-great-granddaughter, Mya Maynard.

There will be a visiting hour on May 27 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, Silver Street, Waterville. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com

Wilfred Charles Cyr Jr.