Suzette King LaFleur Memorial

Suzette King LaFleur Memorial in Prescott Park / Portsmouth Fish Pier, Portsmouth NH.

August 12th, 2011

The park is located near downtown Portsmouth on the bank of the Piscataqua River. It has beautiful views of the city, river, piers, bridges, and Navy ship yard. Suzette introduced me to the park back in 2000 when we first started dating. Later we had some pretty spectacular wedding pictures taken there on a pier overlooking Memorial Bridge. The park would often be at the end of a lazy motorcycle ride up the coast. Following services at North Church we'd wander over with coffee in hand. After we'd left NH we'd return from time to time to visit and be sure to stop by the park to see how the flowers were doing.

Prescott Park was one of the reasons Suzette would always call Portsmouth home and looked forward to her eventual return to the city she loved.   

After Suzette's passing, those of us who knew her, who loved and were loved by her, and who missed her beyond words, wanted to do something in remembrance of her. She had not wanted a tombstone in a cemetery, believing those to be a place of death and mourning, and she was all about celebrating life; her ashes were to be spread upon the Piscataqua River in keeping with her wishes.

A memorial bench in Prescott Park, on the side of the Piscataqua , in the city she loved, surrounded by beauty, life and renewal, was the perfect remembrance for Suzette. 

May 15th, 2011

Ann Hartman, a life long friend of Suzette's, made the arrangement to engrave the bench I'd found. A trust was established and contributions made by family and friends. On July 27th, 2011 the bench was completed.

July 27th, 2011

If you knew Suzette, or even if you only know her only by reputation, please take the opportunity to visit her memorial in Prescott Park. Sit and relax, listen to the laughter on the wind, smell the flowers and green grass, see the sun dancing on the water, and know there is good in this world. Then, reminded of what a difference one person's love can make in our lives, make the point to be that person in the lives of those around you. 

In this way we remember Suzee.

Suzette LaFleur 1965-2011

Suzette Anna (King) LaFleur, my loving wife, passed away unexpectedly on May 9th, 2011.  Words cannot begin to describe my overwhelming sense of loss, pain, and dismay and so I'll not try. The following links are for our family and friends:

• Suzee's blog
• Photos
• Facebook
• Obituary
• Eulogy
• Memorial

My 2000 BMW F650

My fun little BMW F650 "beach cruiser". Not what you'd expect - not a typical BMW nor is it even a typical cruiser. Think more along the lines of those "beach bicycles" - sturdy and capable.

Not mine, just placeholder of same make/color till I find a pic.

It was a common site to see Suzette and I out and about town on the bike. We'd go for drives to check out the neighborhoods, cruise the beach, or head over to Petty's for some lunch. We'd ride to church in the summer, two deacons showing up with motorcycle helmets, much to the titter of the church ladies.

The bike had more than enough refinement that it would look good where ever it went. It looked like a much more expensive machine, sort of like the R1200 RT's little brother (which in effect it was). When riding this bike, people would stop, stare, and start a conversation.

Suzee learned how to ride on it. Yes, all though she did not pursue a license, she could ride. She said she preferred to ride on the back of mine. Snuggling.

This 650cc single cylinder Rotax engine had enough torque to haul us up and down the side roads. The frame and suspension was surprising comfortable. The bike had nice features, such as fuel injection, heated hand grips, and I'd even added the full side bags for those occasions we'd want to bring a lunch.

On those days I'd head out on my own, the bike was sporty enough to be a joy to ride - though no threat to a sport bike - it would cut through the hills with vigor. Despite the plastic cowl and all, I'd take it out and toss some dirt on the trails, weave between the trees, and handle the less challenging off road rides following the local BMW group.

Other, more accomplished, riders of this model bike have crossed continents.


This bike ran flawlessly for the couple of years I had it. I'd like to think that was because it was well loved. And that I'd learned the lesson with past bikes on how important maintenance was to a good ride.

I sold it when we moved to New York City. Living in midtown Manhattan - where everything can be reached via taxi or subway - made having a vehicle unnecessary. If we were going to ride a bike from the city it would have to be big enough to handle the highway, with both of us on it, for the trip back up to NH.

It's one of those bikes I'll always remember with a smile.

Rick and Suzette's Honeymoon

Draft for honeymoon in Jamaica (more to come)

Swim with the dolphins: The looks on our faces in the below picture says it all - this was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. Highly recommended.

Return Home - to a snow storm

Rick and Suzette's Wedding

(Draft for wedding post, more to come)

 

Rick and Suzette's Engagement

NEWMARKET - Thomas and Agnes King of 113 New Road announce the engagement of their daughter Suzette to Rick LaFleur of Portsmouth, the son of Mrs. Michele Mudge of Auburn and the late Jack LaFleur.

Miss King is 1987 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master’s degree in computer information systems from Boston University in 2000. She is a senior business analyst for Liberty Mutual in Dover.

Mr. LaFleur is a 1996 summa cum laude graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. He is a software engineer for Fast Search and Transfer in Wellesley, Mass. 

Rick and Suzette's First Date

How cool was it that Suzee wanted to see X-Men and it became our first date? Very cool.

The many faces of Rick

Back when I was trying to convince Suzee to date me - we'd met online and hadn't yet met in person - I set up a web page  to show her the many faces of Rick. The idea was to show "the other" faces, the one's you don't see in online dating. It must have worked - she agreed to meet, and subsequently date and marry me.

Happy Rick

Bored Rick

Thoughtful Rick

Angry Rick

Scared Rick

Silly Rick