Joseph E.W. Thibodeau

1929 - 2016

Joseph E.W. Thibodeau
of Fitchburg, Army Vet; 87

FITCHBURG -- Joseph E.W. Thibodeau, 87, of Fitchburg, died Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Health Alliance - Leominster Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Thibodeau was born in Fitchburg on October 6, 1929, son of the late Wilfred and Alma (Bourgeois) Thibodeau. He was a 1948 graduate of Fitchburg High School.

Joe served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from July, 1948 to October, 1951. He served with the 113th Transportation Port Company at Fort Eustis, VA. He was discharged August of 1950. After returning home for 6 weeks, he received a letter from President Truman to return for combat training at Fort Campbell, KY. It was there that he was assigned to the 7th Army, 18th Engineers Combat Battalion, Baker Company to complete his active duty service in Fulda, Germany.

Mr. Thibodeau worked for over thirty years at Crocker Technical Paper in Fitchburg, retiring in 1991. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church and the Knights of Columbus.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Catherine M. "Dolly" (DeMartino); two sons, Mark Thibodeau and his wife, Kathy of Ormond Beach, FL and David Thibodeau and his wife, Diane of Fitchburg; two daughters, Karen (Esposito) Ullo and her husband, Bob of Lunenburg, and Lisa Huber and her husband, Michael, of Lancaster; a brother, Roger Thibodeau and his wife, JoAnn of Gardner; three grandchildren, Kristy Esposito, Candace Thibodeau, Marcus Thibodeau and his wife, Eleni; three great-grandchildren, Cody and Kendyl Murphy and Benjamin Wilmot; step-granddaughters, Jill Chester and Sara Lashua; step-grandchildren, Drew Boutell, Masyn Chester, and Camden, Pressley, and Cole Lashua; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Gerald, Anthony, Patrick, Robert, Napoleon, and Charles, and his sisters, Alma Lemoine, Estelle Renda, Theresa Thibodeau, and Juanita Rousseau.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Critical Care Unit at Health Alliance, Leominster, for the exceptional care and compassion during this difficult time.

THIBODEAU -- A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M., Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at St. Joseph's Church, 49 Woodland Street, Fitchburg. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are 4-7 P.M., Monday at the Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.