Arthur Joseph Manseau Jr.

Arthur Joseph Manseau Jr. February 28, 1946 - April 2, 2012 BROOKLYN - Arthur Joseph Manseau Jr. (Art) passed away at his home in Brooklyn surrounded by those he loved most. He was the husband and soul mate of Donna L. (Garnier) Manseau. They were married on February 8, 1991. He was born on February 28, 1946 to Arthur Joseph Manseau Sr. and Dorothy (Collins) Manseau. He graduated from Griswold High School and Ellis Technical school in the field of aviation maintenance. He was a life long member of the CT Army National Guard and worked full time as an aviation maintenance supervisor at the CT AV CRAD in Groton as a Master Sergeant, retiring in 2006 with over 40 years of service. He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait in 2003. He worked briefly as a contractor for URS at the CT AV CRAD until he completely retired in 2010. Besides his wife he leaves his children: Kerri Manseau of Lebanon, Kirstin Gaudreau and husband Michael of Baltic, Kyle Manseau and his wife Michelle Manseau of Collegeville, PA; three granddaughters, Karissa Manseau, Keisha Manseau and Nakitta Manseau; three grandsons: Dylan Sabo, Jacob Manseau and Chance Gaudreau; four great grandchildren, Mercedez Munoz, Tatyana Winston, Bailey Manseau and Mehki Winston; siblings, Linda Taylor and husband Larry of Plainfield, Deborah Langlois and husband Donat of Griswold, Cheri Bruce and her husband Jim of Kodak, TN; sisters-in-law, Christine Manseau of Coventry, RI, Barbara Jandreau of Colchester, Beverly Belanger of Fruitland Park, FL; Brother-in-law Paul Bonneville of Moosup; an honorary brother-in-law, Hank Zatkowski; an aunt, Dorothy Murphy of Jewett City and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends and a special cousin Deb Crandall of Danielson; honorary brothers, Gary Hopkins and Rick Fargo and honorary sister Susan Rapp. He also leaves his "surrogate parents", Bill and Claudette Kelley of Brooklyn. He leaves his walking buddy and best dog, Daisy. He was predeceased by his grandson Tyrus Gaudreau, brothers Gary and Robert Manseau and sister Sheila Bonneville and brother-in-law Bernard Garnier. He was a member of the Jacques Cartier Club and American Legion. He was a life member of the VFW Post # 5446 in Plainfield and AMVETS Post #47 of Brooklyn. He loved gardening, carpentry and traveling. He was a communicant of our Lady of LaSalette church in Brooklyn. He loved gardening and yard work and to travel. He and Donna loved cruises and had traveled to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Alaska, Europe and Hawaii. He spent many fun filled vacations with family and friends at the beaches in Nags Head, NC. Artie was multi-talented and excelled in maintenance, carpentry and plumbing. He was the driving force in the many beautiful renovations he made to his home. If you are reading this and knew Artie, you know what a rare and precious individual he was. He was always kind, good natured and helpful. You were a better person having known him. Art always told Donna "we happy" and they were. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of LaSalette Church, Brooklyn. Burial with Full Military Honors will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Calling hours will be held in Tillinghast Funeral Home, 433 Main Street, Danielson on Monday, April 9th from 4-8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of LaSalette Church, 25 Providence Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234, or the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. In remembrance of Artie, do something kind for someone.