Louis S. Sirois

Louis S. Sirois

Melbourne, FL

Louis S. Sirois 98, died peacefully at home on Monday, July 14, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Pawtucket, RI on June 16, 1916, Lou proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps (1934-1938), the U.S. Army Air Corps (1939-1945), and the U.S. Air Force (1946-1965), and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer W3 after 30 years of military service. During WWII, he was stationed in the Philippines in December 1941 when Japanese forces invaded. In April 1942, American forces in the Philippines became prisoners of war of the Japanese and he survived the brutal Bataan Death March, a "Hell Ship" prisoner transport from the Philippines to Japan, and nearly four years of slave labor in Japanese captivity. During the course of his military career, Lou was awarded the Bronze Star, the POW Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, the World War II Victory Medal, the U.S. Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, the U.S. Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three loops, the Philippine Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Philippine Presidential Citation, the National Defense Service Ribbon, the American Campaign Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Longevity Award with one silver cluster and one bronze cluster.

Lou had been a member of the Military Officers Association, Cape Canaveral Chapter; the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc; and the Disabled American Veterans, J.L. Golightly Chapter 32. After leaving the military Lou worked for Shearer Volkswagen dealership in the parts department for 10 years, then retired a second time to travel the country in his motor home.

Lou was preceded in death in 1974 by his first wife of 30 years, Joyce, and in 2009 by his second wife of almost 30 years, Melba. Lou is survived by his brother, Richard Sirois, his daughter, Gail (Glenn) Craig; his son, James (Terri) Sirois; his stepsons, John (Becky) Cox and Lamarr (Sue) Cox; his stepdaughter, Lavon (Jim) Hall; his son, Ric DePaz Sirois, grandsons, Tyler (Katy) Sirois and Jason Cox; granddaughters, Megan (Justin) Keen, Beth (Mike) Hammock, Jennifer (Blaine) Crossman, Amy Lewandowski, and Carrie (Kyle) Aune; niece, Sandra (James) Lew; and their daughters, Amy, Deanna, and Christi, nephew, Michael Sirois, and 12 wonderful great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service at Fountainhead Memorial Park at 9 a.m., Friday, July 18th with Military Honors. Friends may call at the Fountainhead Funeral Home from 8:30 until time of the service. Following the graveside service there will be a gathering of family and friends at the Funeral Home Chapel. www.fountainhead-funeralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider a donation in Lou's honor to the Disabled American Veterans, J. L. Golightly Chapter 32, 2265 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne FL 32935, or to the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO), P.O. Box 96860, Washington, D.C. 20077-7677, or to the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Museum, 945 Main St., Wellsburg, W. VA 26070.