Joseph Deveau

Veteran, survived by manyROCHESTER, NH - Joseph G. Deveau of Rochester, NH, loving husband of Frances E. (LeBlanc) Deveau, passed away peacefully in the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, New Hampshire on November 10, 2009. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know him.Joseph was born in Meteghan, Nova Scotia, Canada on November 27, 1928. The son of the late Walter and Ida (Robichaud) Deveau, he immigrated to Massachusetts in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in the United States and Germany, from January 1951 to December 1952, when he was honorably discharged. He was known by his comrades as "Frenchie", and maintained close ties with a few men he served with.Joseph attended schools in Nova Scotia, Northeastern University in Boston, and Salem State College in Salem, MA. He was employed at Arrow Armatures in Allston, MA, Bradford Novelty in South Boston, MA, and Rogers Foam Corporation in Somerville, MA, retiring in 1991 after 21 years of service. After retiring, he worked part-time in security for Shetland Properties in Salem, MA, until moving to Rochester, New Hampshire in 1995. He worked part-time at Market Basket in Rochester until he took ill in August.Joe was very active, always finding the need to keep busy. He was a wonderful father and devoted husband who enjoyed spending time with his family, taking daily walks with his wife, Frances, gardening, reading and doing many household projects. He had an infectious smile that he shared with everyone, even during his final days.Joe was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish in Rochester, New Hampshire, and was a life member of Post 12 American War Veterans and Post 161 Franco American War Veterans in Lynn, Massachusetts.He is survived by his loving wife, Frances, of 56 years; a son Gerald J. Deveau and his wife Patricia of Palm Bay, Florida; three daughters, Rose M. Robicheau and her husband John of Farmington, New Hampshire, Lorraine M. Picano of Gloucester, MA, and Claire M. French and her husband Scott of Raymond, New Hampshire; two brothers, Wilfred Deveau of Wilmington, MA, and Arthur Deveau and his wife Louise of Saugus, MA; two sisters, Therese Daigle of Omaha, Nebraska and Marie Quinlan and her husband Thomas of Peabody, MA; nine grandchildren, Christopher, Michael and Brian Deveau and his wife Heather; Nicole (Robicheau) Minnis and her husband Erik; Daniel, Stephen and Andria Picano; Christin (French) Boudreau and her husband John; and Scott French and his wife Samantha; four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Trase Boudreau, Sophia Picano and Brooke French; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jeannette and his brother Adoris.Service Information: Visitation will be held at the H. J. Grondin & Son Funeral Home, 177 North Main Street, Rochester, NH on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Rochester, NH, followed by burial in Holy Rosary Cemetery.In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820, the Seacoast Cancer Center, 789 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820, or The Share Fund, 189 North Main Street, Rochester, NH 03867.The family would like to thank the Rochester Visiting Nurses Association and the Hyder Family Hospice for their help and support during this difficult time.