EAST LONGMEADOW, MA
- Francis Morrill Lamoureux, 93, passed peacefully in
the company of family on August 26, 2013. He was
born March 11, 1920, the first of four children of
Alfred Ulrich Lamoureux and Helena Morrill. Early
years were spent on a farm in Belchertown until his
father's untimely death when [Francis] was 13 years old.
After graduating from Chicopee High School in 1937
he attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute on
scholarship for a year, but found it necessary to
leave to help support the family. He had great
interest in books, languages and classical music.
These interests resulted in his communicating with a
wide range of individuals and it was through music
he met his sweetheart, the former Hildegarde
Fitzgerald of North Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
He enlisted in the army in 1941 serving first as an
instructor of diesel systems at Aberdeen Proving
Grounds, Maryland. In 1942 he qualified as a
parachutist and attended Communications School at
Fort Benning, Georgia. During pre-war staging in
England he volunteered for Pathfinder duty, jumping
into Normandy, D-Day, June 6, 1944 with the 82nd
Airborne's 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He
operated the Eureka (radar) to provide drop zone
coordinates for the planes that would follow.
After a month of fighting in France the Regiment was
rebuilt in England and he jumped into Holland in
December 1944, was wounded but recovered to rejoin
his company during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a
recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
A month after discharge he and Hildegarde were
married in November 1945. Francis completed studies
under the GI Bill earning a B.A and M.A in Education
from American International College and received a
Masters in Science from Worcester Polytechnic
Institute. He was a science teacher at Palmer High
School from 1950-1959 and remembered those students
with fondness, attending their reunions until
recently. He taught chemistry at Classical and
Technical High Schools and was an adjunct professor
at American International College. |
Francis was active in the Ludlow Lions Club and his
church, St. Cecilia's in Wilbraham where he taught CCD
and served as Eucharistic Minister and Lector.
In the Disabled American Veterans he coordinated the
Veterans Transportation Network at the VA hospital
in Leeds and volunteered at the Holyoke Soldiers
Home. He greatly enjoyed skiing, swimming and
hiking.
In the mid 1980's, forty years after the war, he
reacquainted with many of the men with whom he had
served. They too had finished their educations,
raised families, had careers and there was great
love and respect among them. Thereafter, their
reunions and regular communications became an
important part of Francis and Hildegarde's lives.
Besides his parents Francis was pre-deceased by his
sister Irene Cox of Dearborne, Michigan, sister Rita
Czech of Chicopee, Massachusetts and a
grand-daughter Maureen. He is survived by his wife
Hildegarde of East Longmeadow, son Edward and
daughter-in-law Catherine of Hampden, grandson
Stephen and fiance Rhea Hager-Thornton of Ludlow,
brother Alfred of Chicopee and many nieces and
nephews.
His funeral will be held on Friday morning August,
30, 2013 from the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551
Boston Road starting at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass
of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Cecilia's
Church of Wilbraham.
Burial with military honors will take place at St.
Thomas Cemetery, Palmer Massachusetts. Visiting
hours at the funeral home will be Thursday from 3:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The family wishes to recognize the staff at East
Village Place, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts for
the outstanding care extended to Francis and
Hildegarde. The family also extends appreciation to
Baystate VNA & Hospice for their support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
Disabled American Veterans, 3725 Alexandria Pike,
Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076; St. Cecilia's Church,
Wilbraham, Massachusetts; or Baystate VNA & Hospice,
50 Maple Street, P.O. Box 9058, Springfield, MA
01102-9058. |
(courtesy of Margo Swanson)
Grave makers for Francis M.
Lamoureux and spouse Hildegarde and her Fitzgerald
family in Saint Thomas Cemetery, Palmer (Hampden
county), Massachusetts.
Francis enlisted in the Army at
Springfield, MA on 3 November 1941.
T4 Lamoureux acted as a pathfinder
in Normandy on D-Day and was awarded the Combat
Infantry man badge for his service during that
campaign.
Francis was wounded twice during
the Holland campaign. On 17 September 1944 he
was hit in forehead by flak while still in aircraft.
Six days later Francis was badly
wounded during the attack on
Thorensche Molen. He
returned to duty on 28 October.
His military decorations include
the Purple Heart with OLC, Combat Infantryman Badge,
and the Bronze Service Arrowhead device awarded for
participation in Normandy assault. |
