Mr. Donald J. Beauvais, of Taunton, died peacefully Tuesday, November 1 in Morton Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was the loving and devoted husband of Louise E. (Courcy) Beauvais. They had been married for 58 years. He was born 83 years ago in Taunton, the son of the late Olivier and Rosebell (Boudreau) Beauvais. He was educated in Taunton, having graduated from the former St. Jacques Grammar School and the former Msgr. James Coyle High School in 1947, and then attended the former Bristol County Community College in Taunton. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed as a silver finisher for Reed and Barton Silversmiths for 39 years, retiring in 1991. Following retirement, Donald worked as a custodian at the former St. Jacques Church for many years. He then assisted on many services at the Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home for a number of years prior to a leg amputation. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, having served in the infantry division, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He spent 18 months in Korea and received his Honorable Discharge in 1951. He then married his high school sweetheart, Louise, in 1953. In his youth, Donald played sports in the former St. Jacques CYO League. Later, he helped his father deliver ice and oil to his customers. He was a member of the former Ligue du Sacre Coeur, the Msgr. Coyle Council #82 Knights of Columbus, and the David F. Adams Post #611 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Donald was also a member of the Particular Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the former St. Jacques Church, serving as Secretary. He was a member of the Reed and Barton Golf League and the Reed and Barton Quarter Century Club. He was an avid sports fan, watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, but his favorite sport was hockey, and he rarely missed a Boston Bruins game. He was one of the first members of the Taunton Mens Hockey League, playing in the senior division at the Taunton Memorial Skating Rink. Donald also enjoyed watching his grandson, Bobby play hockey, attending all of his games. He also enjoyed playing golf, spending time with his family, and was a devoted father to his children and grandfather to his grandchildren. Donald was a lifelong communicant of St. Jude the Apostle (formerly St. Jacques) Parish in Taunton.
In addition to his wife, he leaves: 1 son: Donald P. Beauvais and his wife, Lisa of Bridgewater; 2 daughters: Anne M. Souza and her husband, Robert of Taunton, and Jeanne M. Fahy and her husband, Michael of Norton; 1 brother: Leo Beauvais and his wife, Therese of Taunton; 1 sister: Madeleine Beauvais of Taunton; a sister-in-law: Theresa C. Courcy of Taunton; 6 grandchildren; Robert Donald Souza and Michael Souza both of Taunton, Shannon and Shawn Fahy both of Norton, and Sara and Marisa Beauvais both of Bridgewater, and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Paul Beauvais and his wife Barbara formerly of Orange, Ct.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street, on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in St. Jude the Apostle Church at 10:00 A.M. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Friday, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.