Mr. Xavier J. Harnois, of Taunton, died Friday, November 18 in Taunton Nursing Home following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Rita B. (Bellavance) Harnois. he was born 95 years ago in Taunton, the son of the late Cleophas and Dorilla (Marrotte) Harnois. He was educated in Taunton and had been a lifelong city resident. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed by the Bay State Gas Company for many years. Previously, he had owned and operated the former Rags ‘N” Riches Fabric Shop on Bay Street for 39 years with his late wife. He had formerly been employed by General Electric in Taunton for several years. Xavier was also employed as a Bell Captain at the former Taunton Inn for a number of years. He began working as an attendant at Taunton State Hospital, where he met his late wife, Rita, who was also an attendant there. He was a member of the Taunton Art Association and the AFL-CIO. He was an avid ballroom dancer, and enjoyed playing tennis, spending time with his family and friends, and was well known for his humor and performing magic tricks. He was a communicant of the former St. Jacques Church in Taunton.
He leaves: 1 son: Ronald Harnois of Taunton; 1 daughter: Joyce Christiansen and her husband, Eugene of Taunton; 4 grandchildren: Christine Christiansen Desjarlais, Cameron Christiansen, Daniel Ajoue, and Angel Machnik; 8 great grandchildren: Erin Christiansen, Olivia Desjarlais, Brayden Christiansen, Daniel Ajoue, Jr., Shaunna Ajoue, Alyssa Ajoue, Tyler Machnik, and Mariah Machnik, and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Yvonne Chalifoux, Rosalda Bowers, and Alfred Harnois.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street, on Tuesday, November 22 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in St. Jude the Apostle Church at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Monday, from 5:00 TO 8:00 P.