The Francoeur Five’s Hero: Nashua Remembers Craig, The Man Who Was The Storm

The Unfair Exchange: A Life Built on Giving Is Suddenly Taken

The heart of Nashua aches today for the loss of Craig Francoeur, a beloved family man whose life was a masterclass in selflessness, only to be cut short by the savage brutality of Stage 4 colon cancer. Craig was the man who never asked for help, but was always the first to fire up the grill, listen to your problems, or deliver the booming, positive voice from the sideline. The deep injustice of his death is rooted in this simple fact: the man who gave his energy to everyone else needed it most in the end, and yet, the relentless disease could not be held back.

For his wife, Tricia, and their three amazing children—The Francoeur Five—the grief is a heavy, crushing reality. They stood as one through the grueling treatments, the small victories, and the inevitable setbacks. This loss is not just the absence of a husband and father; it’s the collapse of their central pillar. We mourn the unwritten future and the devastating truth that a life so rich in love and service has been prematurely concluded.

“I Am The Storm”: A Legacy of Courage and Community

Craig Francoeur’s character was perhaps best encapsulated by the motto his family adopted during his fight: “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’” Craig lived those words with every breath, facing his diagnosis with a courage that inspired a community-wide rally of support. His fight became a testament to his values: perseverance, integrity, and absolute devotion to his family.

His legacy is not solely defined by the cancer he fought, but by the extraordinary love he inspired. The countless donations, the messages of encouragement, and the unified prayer of the Nashua community are all reflections of the positive, unwavering energy Craig poured into the world. He taught us how to fight with dignity and how to receive help with grace. His story reminds us that true heroism is often found in the unrelenting daily battle for another day with the people you love.

A Town’s Vow: Holding Up The Francoeur Family

The time for fighting cancer alongside Craig has ended, and the time for protecting his family has begun. The most meaningful tribute we can offer to the man who gave so much is a steadfast promise to hold up “The Francoeur Five.” They need the community’s emotional and practical strength now more than ever as they navigate a life without their rock.

We vow to continue the legacy of support, ensuring that the kindness Craig showed to countless people returns to his family tenfold. We honor the warrior by guarding his home and nurturing the beautiful children he loved fiercely. Though the pain is raw, we will let Craig’s memory—of a life lived fully and given freely—be the light that guides the Francoeur family toward healing.