Francis Thomas Fillion

Francis Thomas Fillion, 96, passed away at his home on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. He was born on April 4, 1926, to Cyrille and Antoinette (Lehoux) Fillion of Littleton and was a lifetime member of the Littleton community. Francis attended St. Rose of Lima Grammar School and Littleton High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 2, 1944, two months after his eighteenth birthday. Francis served our country as a combat marine in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His wartime service included being part of Charlie Company during the Invasion of Okinawa in April 1945. While serving in Okinawa, he was wounded in battle on the outskirts of Naha on the southern part of Okinawa Island, was rescued, and was delivered to a hospital ship that took him to the 18th Naval Hospital in Guam. He remained at that hospital until mid-August 1945. Francis traveled from Guam to the island of Saipan and remained there until May of 1946. Francis was a Purple Heart recipient who received his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps on May 27, 1946. He traveled by train from California to Maryland and then from Maryland to Littleton, New Hampshire—his home. 

Francis grew up across the street from his classmate, Joan Gadbois. They started dating after Francis returned to Littleton following his military service, and they were married on June 17, 1950. Francis and Joan enjoyed and appreciated their 67 years together, working very hard as a great team to buy a home, raise their family, and be contributing members of the Littleton community. Francis worked at the Gilman Paper Company for five years and then at Norton Pike, Inc. in Littleton for 36 years. After retiring in 1989, he spent his days outdoors. He loved hiking, hunting, fishing, and working around his house. Baseball was a passion for Francis. He earned his varsity letter in baseball from Littleton High School, and his love of the sport never wavered. He served as an assistant coach for the Knights Little League team for several years and followed all Littleton High School sports. He was a life-long Red Sox fan but enjoyed well-played baseball regardless of the teams. He had a tremendous memory for exciting games, incredible plays, players’ names, and statistics. Francis was a very hard worker. He had high standards and always did his best. His family was the most important thing in his life, and he never failed to lend a hand to help others. Francis was predeceased by his wife Joan, his parents, and his four siblings: Edward Fillion, Robert Fillion, Alice (Fillion) McFarland, and Roger Fillion. All five were veterans who served in a time of war.

Francis is survived by his children: Gail and Steven Holmes of Warner and Wayne and Shelley Fillion of Whitefield; his grandchildren, Leslie Fillion and husband Rick Chartier of Bedford, Sarah Fillion and husband Tyler Robison of Deering, Matthew Holmes and wife Meridith of Whitefield, Jeffrey Holmes of Burlington, VT, and his two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Adeline Holmes of Whitefield.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the White River Junction VA Medical Center, the Littleton VA Clinic, St. Rose of Lima Church, and North Country Home Health & Hospice for their wonderful care.

A Funeral Mass for Francis will be held at St. Rose of Lima Church on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church, 77 Clay St., Littleton, NH 03561 or to North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, 536 Cottage St., Littleton, NH 03561.  

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