Bernard Beausoleil

It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that we must announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, granddad, relative, and friend, Joseph Normand Beausoleil, age 85. Dad passed away at 5:55am, Saturday, January 23, 2016 at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas. He passed away after a long, tenacious, and determined battle against several illnesses. Dad was a fighter and wanted to stay with his beloved Joan for as long as possible. God blessed him, Joan, and our family beyond measure by allowing him to be on this earth an extra precious nine years. We love him, we shall miss him, we will never forget him, and we will cherish the memories forever.

Dad was born on July 8, 1930 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to Mr. Dieudonne Beausoleil, and Mrs. Aurelia Beausoleil. Joseph Normand Beausoleil was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Alcide Beausoleil, Armand Beausoleil, and Lucien Beausoleil.

Dad is survived by his loving wife Joan Bernadette Wright Beausoleil and children Bernard Michael (Debbie), Briand Joseph (Fiona), Gerald Normand (Mandy), Mark James ( Liz), Suzanne Martina Kuempel (Russell), Luke Patrick (Ginna), and Pauline Elizabeth Moradi (Hossein). G-Dad is also survived by his grandchildren Brent Hodges, Ashley Kuempel, Nathan Beau-soleil, Hanna Moradi, Matt Kuempel, Lauren Beau-soleil, Leah Moradi, Bryn Beausoleil, Gabi Beausoleil, Louis Beausoleil, Nick Beausoleil, Will Beausoleil, Liam Beausoleil, Callum Beausoleil, and Olivia Beausoleil.

Joseph Normand grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He attended a Catholic Seminary in Joliette, Canada and Mount Saint Charles Academy to become a Catholic priest. But it was not to be. He loved playing hockey and baseball. He soon developed outstanding baseball skills and was invited at the age of sixteen by the Boston Red Sox to begin training in Florida. It was a life changing experience.

Unfortunately, his potential career was interrupted by the Korean War. Dad joined the United States Air Force, and his first tour of duty was in Burtonwood, England instead of Korea. That duty assignment would become a significant event in Dad's life. Shortly thereafter he met his future wife of 63 years while shopping for cough drops. On October 25, 1952, Joseph Normand married Joan Bernadette Wright in Liverpool, England. Joseph Normand was in the Air Force for 23 years, specializing initially in vehicle maintenance and advancing into radar electronic surveillance of the Soviet Union in Ft. Yukon, Alaska, Osceola, Wisconsin, and West Berlin, Germany. Additional dramatic and memorable tours of duty were in Prestwick, Scotland, Mallorca, Spain, San Antonio, Texas, New Brunswick, Canada, Rhode Island and Jacksonville, Florida.

While in Berlin, with no prior Scouting experience, he nurtured a group of boys into accomplished achievers earning many merit badges and awards. His sons and other Scouts went on to become Eagle, Life and Star Scouts. Through Dad's leadership, he and his family received the Berlin American Community Award for outstanding service to the military community.

After military life, Dad built a German antique import business and careers with Marathon Oil Company, and Earthmans Funeral Corporation.

Funeral services will be at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 411 Milam St., Liberty, Texas, 77575 on Sunday, January 31, 2016.

Military honors and burial will take place at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, on Monday, February 1, 2016.

For times, please refer to www.generationsfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Smile Train at www.smiletrain.org.