Joseph L. Arsenault

of Leominster, Army Vet, WWII; 98

LEOMINSTER -- Joseph Lionel Arsenault, 98, of Leominster, died Wednesday, March 7, 2012, in River Terrace Health in Lancaster, after an illness.

He was born November 28, 1913 in Fitchburg, MA, the son of the late Jacob Arsenault and Leonie (Richard) Arsenault.

Lionel leaves his wife of 18 years, Levina (Cormier) (Robideau) Arsenault, three step sons; Nelson Robideau and his wife, Gina of Duxbury, Robert Robideau and his wife, Georgia of Leominster, and Brian Robideau and his wife, Lisa of Bellingham; four step daughters, Deborah Miller and her husband, David of Vermont, Kathleen Jones and her husband, Wayne of Athol, Brenda Brassard and her husband, Leonard of Fitchburg, and Karen Hall and her husband, Raymond of Fitchburg; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

His first wife, Elise (LeBlanc) Arsenault predeceased him in 1980; two brothers, Philip Arsenault and William Arsenault, and two sisters, Lena Leger and Alice Maillette, also predeceased him.

Lionel was a U.S. Army veteran of World War ll. He entered the service on November 2, 1942 and was honorably discharged February 15, 1946; serving in HQ 107th Gen Hos. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the American Theater Campaign Ribbon.

He worked as an upholsterer at Selig MFG, and the Charlton Co., and was a member of St. Cecilia's Church in Leominster.

He enjoyed traveling and dancing; and was known as a very gentle and soft spoken man.

The family would like to thank Marcel, Annette, and Thelma and Ernie.

ARSENAULT -- Lionel's funeral will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012 from Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster with a 12 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Cecilia's Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fitchburg. Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday, March 12, 2012 are from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the St. Cecilia's Church Restoration Fund, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster, MA 01453 and may be left at the funeral home. For more information or to sign our online guestbook, please visit www.simardfuneralhome.com. Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster is directing arrangements.