J. Joseph Grandmaison

J. Joseph Grandmaison, 79, of Portsmouth, NH, died June 11, 2022 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Born May 19, 1943 as middle son of Oscar and Irene (Bouchard) Grandmaison, Joe served 2 years as Nashua’s Ward 7 Alderman and thereafter began a career in Democratic politics and government service including major roles in the campaigns of Sen. George McGovern for President 1972; Michael Dukakis for Governor 1974; Sen. John Glenn for President 1984; and Gov. Bill Clinton for President 1992.

Joe was a proud member of Nashua High School’s Class of 1960, a graduate of Burdett College, and a Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government-Institute of Politics. He was the Democratic nominee for Congress in NH’s 2nd District in 1976 and for Governor in 1990. Joe also served as Chairman of the NH Democratic Party and in the NH National Guard. In government service, Joe was named Federal Co-Chairman of the New England Regional Commission by President Carter; Director of the US Trade & Development Agency by President Clinton; and was appointed twice to the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank by President George W. Bush.

Joe was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Peter. He is survived by his brother, Philip and his wife, Ann; his nephew, Adam Grandmaison, his fiancé, Lena Nersesian, and their daughter, Parker Ann; and his niece, Sarah Manheim, her husband Josh, and their sons, Henry Joseph and Theodore Philip, all of California. 

After residing in Washington, DC and Rye, NH for many years, Joe relocated to Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth in 2020. Wentworth's staff, Beacon Hospice’s staff and volunteers, and care managers Anna Schultz and Carol Sanderson, provided him with comfort and love. His career in public life enabled him to collect many friends who reached out to him in recent months to express their support and affection. The Grandmaison family wishes to express their appreciation to all.

Calling hours will be held at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley St., Nashua on SATURDAY, July 23 from 10am-12pm with interment at Saint Louis De Gonzague Cemetery, Nashua. A Remembrance of Life will follow at Martha's Exchange, 185 Main St., Nashua at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Joe's memory be made to Rye Public Library, 581 Washington Rd., Rye, NH 03870, with the notation "Joe Grandmaison Memorial". 

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