Joseph Francis ‘Joe’ Brodeur
Decorated Veteran, Avid Ice Skater, Hockey Player, Tennis Player
DRACUT Joseph Francis Brodeur, 88, of Lowell, husband of Agnes (Camara) Brodeur with whom he celebrated their Sixty Seventh Wedding Anniversary this past March, died Sunday, June 23, 2013, at D’Youville Senior Health Care Center with his family by his side after a long battle with cancer.
A son of the late Joseph C. and the late Mary Ellen (Coope) Brodeur, he was born December 22, 1924, in Lowell, and educated in the local schools, graduating from Lowell High School as well as Lowell Trade School and the Boston Naval Apprentice School.
A U. S. Army Veteran of World War II, he served with the Americal Division from 1943 to 1945. He was also a lead scout in the Intelligance and Reconnaissance Platoon, receiving the Combat Infantry Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with Two Battle Stars, the Phillipine Liberation Medal with Two Battle Stars, the Phillipine Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal Japan, and the Victory Medal World War II.
Mr. Brodeur was employed as a foreman woodworker at the Boston Naval Shipyard for over thirty years, and worked on the overhaul and restoration of Old Ironsides. After his experience with the U.S.S. Constitution he was hired as a consultant for the restoration of the U.S.S. Constellation in Baltimore.
Joseph was involved with the youth of Lowell for forty years with various Youth Hockey Programs, the Lowell Youth Hocley Association, the Northern Middlesex Hockey Association, and the Greater Lowell Hockey Association. He served on their Board of Directors and coached various teams, as well as mostly working with the learn to skate and play hockey programs. He also helped during summers with the Tennis Program at the Boys and Girls Club of Lowell and could be seen weekly at the back tennis courts of Shedd Park playing a mixed group of seniors and other tennis players Monday through Saturday in a round robin setup. In addition, he also enjoyed his visits to the Lowell Senior Center, was involved with the Back Central Street Neighborhood Association, and took care of the Jolene Dubner Park.
In addition to his loving wife, Agnes, he is survived by his children, Maria Talbot and her husband James, of Mansfield, Joseph D. Brodeur of Lewiston, ME, Dennis C. Brodeur of Lowell, Gail-Ann Brodeur and her husband, Howard W. Martin of Dracut, Kevin Matthew Brodeur and his wife, Paula, of Merrimack, NH, and Christine E. Cote and her husband, Joseph William, of Waterford, CT; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; his brother, Edward Brodeur and his wife, Barbara, of Pelham, NH; his sisters, M. Jean Dancause and her husband, Phillip, of Lowell, and Evelyn Silva and her husband, Arthur, of Groton; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also a brother of the late Ernest Brodeur, the late C. Lorraine Russell, and the late Dorothy Renaud.
His family would also like to thank the Lowell VNA Hospice Program for the compassionate care he recieved.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26. ON THURSDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 30 GRAFTON ST., LOWELL AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER LOWELL, 336 CHURCH ST., LOWELL MA 01852 OR TO HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 30 GRAFTON ST., LOWELL MA 01852. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
