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Joseph Verreault Obituary
Mr. Verreault was an elementary school teacher in Henrico and Hanover Counties for many years and some of his students have remained in touch through Christmas cards and occasional notes. Later, he served as a Presbyterian minister at a small church in rural VA and one in rural NC. At the end of his career, he worked for Aetna insurance company in Richmond, VA before retiring and moving to Covenant Woods.
Mr. Verreault had a wonderful sense of humor and an ability to connect with people. He will be sorely missed by his surviving family, his loving wife of 63 years Patsy, daughter Amy Athavale (Ramchandra) and grandsons Jason and Raja Athavale; his sister-in-law Dorothy Rifai and his brother-in-law Tom Hogg (Scottie).
Mr. Verreault had a love of boats, airplanes, trains, and modeling. He built countless airplane models and had a fine sense of artistry, creating paint effects to make the planes look "weathered." He was very detail oriented. He built a wonderful model train layout with intricately carved figures like trees, houses, all very realistic looking and intricate in their details, a layout which unfortunately was destroyed in a flooded basement due to hurricane Gaston. He built a wonderful model fishing boat, to scale, with a working motor and cast crew of carved figurines taken from Wind in the Willows.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care Joe received from the staff of Covenant Woods Healthcare and Bon Secours Hospice.
Services will be on Saturday, September 2 at 2 p.m., at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Ave. in Richmond.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Verreault
5 Entries
Billy Lane
January 18, 2025
Best teacher ever. We built a 15 foot tall catapult and carved WWII aircraft out of balsa wood... ... In the 6th grade. Knives in school and nobody batted an eye. Passion for his craft and passion for his students. RIP Mr. Verreault.
Lisa Thompson Cross
September 3, 2023
Dear Patsy, you and my mother were such good friends. I´m sure she could have helped you navigate this particular journey. Praying you will find comfort knowing that Jesus is walking this path with you.
Shalom, Lisa Thompson Cross.
Thomas K. Spence, Jr.
August 16, 2023
I first knew Joe at Davidson College, where we were members of the Class of 1960. Our friendship continued at Union Presbyterian Seminary where I also met his wife, Patsy. Their daughter, Amy, joined the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian in Cary, NC, while I was pastor. I always admired and respected Joe. He had a very useful and serviceable life, particularly as a teacher in the elementary grades. He was a very gifted person as evidenced by his creation of so many beautiful models. Our paths carried us to different fields of service. I wish I could have enjoyed his friendship all through the years. My love and heartfelt wishes to all his family.
Deb Walters Childs
August 14, 2023
At the end of fifth grade, I learned I would be attending sixth grade at the new Jacob L. Adams Elementary School in Henrico. A new school was a bit scary for me but nothing was more worrisome than the prospect of having a "man teacher" for the first time!
That man was Joseph A. Verreault, and he would become forever known as my favorite teacher. Mr. Verreault used the element of surprise to "wake us up to" the lesson at hand when necessary. Whether we were being told to take out a half sheet of paper for a "writ"-his word for a pop quiz or a more well-received decision to engage us in a game of handball-we were wide awake going forward.
I am grateful to have reconnected with Mr. Verreault and his dear wife, Patsy, over the past few years. What a joy it was to relive part of such a special time in my life by sharing memories with my favorite teacher.
I am forever grateful that my first "man teacher" was also an amazing person. I will never forget Mr. Verreault, his beautiful smile, and our time together. I feel sad that I won´t be able to revisit him again in this lifetime. God Bless his family-I know he will be sorely missed by all. But I bet he teaches handball to the other angels in Heaven.
Dorothy Schrag
August 14, 2023
Patsy and Amy ~ Earl and I are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I enjoyed teaching at Adams all those years ago. Your friendship over the years has been special. You are in our thoughts. Dorothy & Earl
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