Joseph Paul Leonel Boudreau
M, (22 November 1928 - 12 February 2016)
| Father-Biological* | Camille Boudreau b. 24 Jul 1898, d. 27 Oct 1975 |
| Mother-Biological* | Marie Rose Bibianne Légère b. 4 Sep 1900, d. 8 May 2003 |
Last Edited=15 May 2026
Joseph "Leo" Boudreau while in the Navy
In 1948, Joseph graduated from Athol High School, Athol, Massachusetts.9,10 He enlisted into the United States Navy on 12 November 1948 and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged 15 October 1952.10 Joseph Paul Leonel Boudreau, age 27, married Esther Laford, age 25 , daughter of Andrew W. Laford and Alfreda Landry, on 28 April 1956 at Our Lady Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, Athol, Massachusetts. They were married by the Very Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Warburton.
Children:
1. Bernard Joseph Boudreau
2. Annette Marie Boudreau
3. Lawrence Paul Boudreau
4. Maria Louise Boudreau
5. Jeffrey William Boudreau (1970-2008.)9,11
1. Bernard Joseph Boudreau
2. Annette Marie Boudreau
3. Lawrence Paul Boudreau
4. Maria Louise Boudreau
5. Jeffrey William Boudreau (1970-2008.)9,11
Joseph and Esther's wedding announcement of 28 April 1956, reads:Boudreau - LaFord Nuptials Today In Our Lady Church
Miss Esther Marie LaFord, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew W. LaFord of 228 Gage road, and Joseph Paul Leonel Boudreau, son of Mr. and. Mrs. Camille Boudreau of 40 Yale avenue, were married this morning at 9 in the Church of Our Lady Immaculate. Very Rev. Msgr.Francis J! Warburton performed the single ring ceremony.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white satin floor length gown fashioned with French royal 1 lace bodice, long pointed sleeves and scajl loped neckline. The full nylon tulle skirt was styled with two lace panels, in front. Her queen's half cap of seed pearl and rhinestones held a fingertip veil of French illusion. The bride's gown was made by her mother. She carried her lace covered prayer book topped with a white orchid and stephanotis with white streamers.
Mrs. Joyce Thompson of Rome, N. Y. was matron of honor for her sister. Her ballerina length sleeveless gown of sky blue nylon corded lace over taffeta was styled with princess waistline and bateau neckline. She wore matching shoes and mitts and carried a bouquet of white carnations with inserts of matching blue taffeta. Her headband was of white feathered carnations.
Bridesmaids were Mrs. Beverly Boudreau of Athol, sister-inlaw of the bridegroom, and Miss cousin Catherine of LaFord of Athol, the bride. They wore gowns styled like the matron of honor's in princess blue and cloud blue respectively and carried similar bouquets. The attendants' gowns were also made by the bride's mother.
Ernest Boudreau of Gardner served his brother as best man. Ushers were Francis Boudreau, another brother, and Robert Thompson of Rome, N. Y., brother-in-law of the bride.
Traditional wedding music was played. The altar was decorated with white gladioli and snapdragons. A white aisle drawn from the altar to the entrance of the church. The bride's mother wore a dusty rose street length dress with matching coat and pink and white accessories. Her corsage was of pink carnations. The groom's mother wore a light blue dress with blue and white accessories and corsage of pink carnations.
A reception with 300 guests attending followed* the ceremony at the Elks Club. Miss Karen King of Athol, cousin of the bride, was in charge of the guest book. The couple left on 8 wedding trip to Virginia. The bride wore an orchid print dress with white topper made by her mother. She wore white and orchid accessories and an orchid corsage.
After May 13, the couple will reside at 16 Prospect street.
The bride was graduated from Athol High School in 1949 and is employed as office clerk at the Athol Manufacturing Company. The groom was graduated from Athol High School in 1948. A Naval veteran, he is employed as counter man at the Bemis Bakery.
Published by the Athol Daily News, 28 April 1956.9
In 1958 Joseph lived at Athol, Massachusetts.12 Leo was retired in 1991 from the Starret Tool Company, Athol, Massachusetts.2 He died on 12 February 2016 at Athol Memorial Hospital, Athol, Massachusetts, at age 87.5,7,11,10 Joseph's obituary of 14 February 2016, reads:
ATHOL- Joseph L. Boudreau, 87, of Main Street, died Friday, February 12, 2016 at Athol Hospital.
Born in Athol in the family home, Joseph grew up in Athol and graduated from Athol High School in 1948. He was a son of the late Camille and Bibianne (Legere) Boudreau.
On November 12, 1948, he enlisted into the United States Navy and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on October 15, 1952.
Joseph married Esther (Laford) on April 28, 1956 and have enjoyed close to 60 years of marriage.
A toolmaker at the L. S. Starrett Company, Joseph retired in 1990. He previously had worked as a milkman, a machinist at the Union Twist Drill, operated the former Arco station on Exchange Street in Athol and was an insurance agent.
Joseph was a lecturer at Our Lady Immaculate Church and was very involved with the Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed softball, baseball, football, playing tennis and served as an umpire for many leagues. For over 40 years, he was involved with the Jumptown Twirlers square dancing group.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Esther Boudreau of Athol; daughters, Annette Hagie and her partner, Patrick McGlone, of Athol, Maria Leblanc and her husband, Jim, of Athol; sons, Bernie Boudreau and his wife, Karen, of Northfield, Larry Boudreau of Athol; a daughter in law, Jennifer Boudreau of Wilbraham; grandchildren, Andrew Hagie, Chantel McGlone, William Leblanc, Alison Boudreau, Timothy Boudreau, Nicholas Boudreau, Christopher Boudreau, and Shawn Stamper; great grandchildren, Alexis Stamper and Anthony Stamper; a sister, Angelina Chiasson of Athol; brothers, Francis Boudreau of Athol and Ernest Boudreau of Vermont; and several nephews and nieces.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey Boudreau in 2008.
Calling hours will be Thursday evening, February 18, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church.
Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Our Lady Immaculate Building Fund, 192 School Street, Athol, MA 01331.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneral home. com.
Published by Witty's Funeral Home.10
Born in Athol in the family home, Joseph grew up in Athol and graduated from Athol High School in 1948. He was a son of the late Camille and Bibianne (Legere) Boudreau.
On November 12, 1948, he enlisted into the United States Navy and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on October 15, 1952.
Joseph married Esther (Laford) on April 28, 1956 and have enjoyed close to 60 years of marriage.
A toolmaker at the L. S. Starrett Company, Joseph retired in 1990. He previously had worked as a milkman, a machinist at the Union Twist Drill, operated the former Arco station on Exchange Street in Athol and was an insurance agent.
Joseph was a lecturer at Our Lady Immaculate Church and was very involved with the Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed softball, baseball, football, playing tennis and served as an umpire for many leagues. For over 40 years, he was involved with the Jumptown Twirlers square dancing group.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Esther Boudreau of Athol; daughters, Annette Hagie and her partner, Patrick McGlone, of Athol, Maria Leblanc and her husband, Jim, of Athol; sons, Bernie Boudreau and his wife, Karen, of Northfield, Larry Boudreau of Athol; a daughter in law, Jennifer Boudreau of Wilbraham; grandchildren, Andrew Hagie, Chantel McGlone, William Leblanc, Alison Boudreau, Timothy Boudreau, Nicholas Boudreau, Christopher Boudreau, and Shawn Stamper; great grandchildren, Alexis Stamper and Anthony Stamper; a sister, Angelina Chiasson of Athol; brothers, Francis Boudreau of Athol and Ernest Boudreau of Vermont; and several nephews and nieces.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey Boudreau in 2008.
Calling hours will be Thursday evening, February 18, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church.
Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Our Lady Immaculate Building Fund, 192 School Street, Athol, MA 01331.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneral home. com.
Published by Witty's Funeral Home.10
Joseph was buried on 19 February 2016 at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon, Massachusetts.5,7,10
Citations
- Chiasson, Angelina. Boudreau Genealogy. Athol, Massachusetts: manuscript, 1986.
- Chiasson, Angelina. The Boudreau Family Album. Athol, Massachusetts: manuscript, 2001.
- Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts, U.S., Birth Index, 1860-1970. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2013.
- Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1798-195. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
- Find-a-Grave. Online https://www.findagrave.com/
- United States, Selective Service System. U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
- National Cemetery Administration. U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2019. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2006.
- Census Bureau. 1930 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2002.
- Athol Daily News, Athol, Massachusetts, 28 April 1956.
- Witty's Funderal Home, "Joseph L. Boudreau, 8" Athol, Massachusetts, 14 February 2016.
- Athol Daily News, "Esther M. (Laford) Boudreau" Athol, Massachusetts, 23 January 2020.
- Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.