George A. Florent, 91, a retired Haverhill police officer, died at home on January 8, 2017, surrounded by family. Born on January 3, 1926 in Easthampton, Massachusetts, George was the son of Adelard Florent and Roseanna (Breton) Florent. He moved to Haverhill as a child, attended the Winter Street School, and received his high school diploma from the New England Military Academy.

George served in the Massachusetts National Guard before entering the United States Navy in February 1944 during World War II. He served most of his Navy career aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bennington CV-20 in the Pacific Theater. He received an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, an American Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in May 1946.

George joined the Haverhill Police Department as a patrolman in 1958 and retired as a sergeant in 1988. He also attended Northeastern University, where he studied criminal law. During his thirty years with the Haverhill Police, he served in various roles, including Police Prosecutor, Safety Officer, Officer in Charge - Detective Division, and Public Relations Officer.  He was the President of the Haverhill Police Credit Union and a public speaker for the Department. During his police career, he served as a Trustee at the former Hale Hospital in Haverhill and the Glynn Memorial Nursing Home. He was a member of the Building Committee for the new Hale Hospital (now Holy Family Hospital) and the current Haverhill Police Station.

Active in his church and the community, George served as a Eucharistic Minister and as a Lector for more than thirty years at the former St. Joseph Parish and then All Saints Parish in Haverhill. He also served as President and District President of the Holy Name Society and on the Speakers Bureau for the Archdiocese of Boston. He was a lifetime member of DAV and VFW and a member of the American Legion. After retirement, George was a Commissioner for many years on the Haverhill License Commission.

George was an avid golfer, a reader of poetry, and a fan of Notre Dame football and all Boston sports teams. He was a vocalist who sang joyfully at home, at Mass, and at numerous of his children's and grandchildren's weddings. In his retirement, he enjoyed many trips to Aruba, Bermuda, and the beaches of New England with his cherished wife Elaine. He will be remembered for his commitment to family, his sense of humor, and his compassion for the less fortunate, whose lives he touched with his police work.

George is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elaine (Desrosiers) Florent, and their ten children: Donna Demers of Haverhill, Peter Florent and his wife Susan of Haverhill, Michael Florent and his wife Anne Marie of Newburyport, Theresa Romotsky and her husband Jerry of Newburyport, Denise Hamel and her husband Wally of Durham, NH, Anne Marie Mede of Haverhill, Joseph Florent and his wife Dee of Haverhill, Paul Florent of Haverhill, Mary Harriman and her husband Roger of Haverhill, and Michele Perillo and her husband Randy of Stoneham. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  George was predeceased by his three brothers, Joseph, Robert and Raymond. His family would like to thank all those from Merrimack Valley Hospice who were involved in his care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Florent's Life Celebration to be held on Wednesday, January 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at BERUBE- Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral will be held on Thursday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill, followed by burial with military honors in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, All Saints Conference,120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01832. To send a message of condolence to the family or to find directions to our home, please visit www.berubecomeau.com