Ernest 'Ernie' Rousseau

Ernest H. Rousseau, (Ernie) 85, of Rindge, NH, passed away Friday, December 10 at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH.

Mr. Rousseau was the owner and operator of the former Kozy Korner, and Rousseau’s IGA in Greenville, NH, as well as Rousseau’s IGA in Winchendon, MA. He also was the manager at Norm’s Thriftway in Jaffrey, NH, and the general manager of Crecenti’s Markets in Hillsborough, New London and Bristol, NH.

Mr. Rousseau served as a Selectman for the town of Greenville, NH in the 1960s. You may have heard the story of a mid-week night parade with convertibles, and a drum & bugle corps playing and marching down Main Street as part of his selectman campaign. Or… the giant Green Giant statue that was propped up practically in the middle of Main Street after church one Sunday holding a voting box that said “VOTE ERNIE”. He was instrumental in the development of many youth programs in the town of Greenville, including the Greenville Boy’s Club, Greenville Little League and the town skating rink. He was always involved in youth sports. Through the Boy’s Club, he hosted boxing shows featuring several of the club members as well as semi-professionals for exhibitions. Basketball and a weightlifting programs were all a part of the Greenville Boy’s Club that attracted hundreds of youth over the years. If you were on the Greenville Cubs Little League team and got a home run – you got a free gallon of ice cream after the game at Rousseau’s Market!

Through his affiliation with the IGA stores, Wetterau Foods, Associated Grocers and National Grocer’s Association, he was able to take some amazing trips and see beautiful parts of the country and the world. Ernie was selected as Grocer of the Year and was awarded the honor of Senator, representing grocery store owners regionally for one year. Many will remember Ernie occasionally tapdancing in the aisle at one of his stores as he greeted you.

Ernie always had a smile and warm greeting for everyone he met (It was really hard for him not to shake your hand during this Covid time). He lived his life to the fullest and raised 5 children with his wife, Rachel of 66 years! Ernie and Rachel were married at 18, and their love and devotion to one another sustained the test of time, a true love story!

Mr. Rousseau was born in Fitchburg, MA on June 16, 1936, the oldest son of the late Aime H. Rousseau and Lily (Arsenault) Rousseau, and his late step-mother, RoseAnna (Vincent) Rousseau.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rachel (Desrosiers) Rousseau of Rindge, NH, one daughter Carol Rousseau LaFalam of Paxton, MA, four sons, Michael Rousseau and his wife Diane (Sorby) Rousseau of Jaffrey, Kevin Rousseau of California, Gary and Heidi (Rivard) Rousseau of Jaffrey, Ernest K. Rousseau of Paxton, MA; six grandchildren, Alyssa and Abbie LaFalam of Paxton, MA, Joel and Jessica (Mattscheck) Rousseau of Franklin, TN, Billy and Tricia (Rousseau) Peterson of Longmeadow, MA, Nathan and Abigail (Engler) Rousseau of Strasburg, PA, and Henry Rousseau of Jaffrey NH, and one great-grandchild on the way; his siblings and their spouses, Claire and Andy Rousseau of Peterborough, Gloria (Rousseau) and the late Frank Blair of Jaffrey, Paul and Judy (Morrison) Rousseau of Peterborough, Gerald and Mary Rousseau of Nashua, Nancy (Rousseau) Barry of Orlando, Fl, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Although friends and family of Ernie will miss him tremendously, we are SO grateful for the 85 years we shared with him, and for the hope we have to see him again in Heaven because of the promise from our Lord: “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies” John 11:25.

Services will be held on June 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street Jaffrey, NH 03452.

In lieu of flowers please visit your local food shelter and donate groceries “in honor of Ernest H Rousseau.”