Ernest Edmond Kirouac

Our community is at a great loss with the passing of Ernest E. Kirouac 84, of Swanzey, NH, a longtime member of the forest fire service and area fire departments, on February 26, 2026, at the Alpine Healthcare Center in Keene.

His parents, Victor E. J. and Alice L. (Arbo) Kirouac welcomed their son into the world on January 28, 1942, in Shirley, MA.

Ernie spent most of his life in the area with the last thirty-plus years in Swanzey.

He enlisted in the Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged on April 24, 1964.

Ernie was well-known for his years working in the area fire towers, first at Hyland Hill in the Westmoreland, NH area, Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard, NH, and his last assignment at the Miller Tower in Peterborough, NH. He was also a longtime firefighter and emergency medical technician with the West Swanzey Fire Department, the Meadowood County Area Fire Department, the Fitzwilliam Fire Department and the Winchester Fire Department.

He loved his role as Smokey the Bear with the NH Forest Fire Warden Association also serving as special deputy and was a Deputy Fire Warden for the Town of Swanzey.

Ernie enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and camping at his site at Cold Springs Campground in Weare, NH.

He will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife of 21 years, Carolyn M. (Dunham) Kirouac of Swanzey; his grandchildren, Jessica Lambert, Brittany Woolsey, Kimberly Woolsey, Kristin Woolsey, Tyler Kirouac; his great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Thompson, Abbigayle Thompson, Ellianna Thompson, Dominick Thompson, Maddison French, Roxanne French, Aurora Kirouac; and a sister, Marty Thibodeau of Florida. Two daughters, Ann Lambert and Heather Cannon, his first wife Mary Kirouac, and two brothers Victor Kirouac Jr. and Robert Kirouac, predeceased him.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. Burial with military honors will be held in the spring in the South Cemetery, Richmond, NH, at a date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Kirouac’s memory to the NH Forest Fire Warden Association, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH 03301.