Joseph (Joe) H. Comeau, 68 passed away in Allentown, PA on January 17th after a short illness. Joseph was born in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia as the eldest son of Louis P. Comeau and Anne Melanson. Growing up in rural Nova Scotia, Joe attended schools in Clare County, moved to the United States in 1961, and began to work as a carpenter’s apprentice.
Joe built a business as a homebuilder and constructed dozens of single-family homes throughout Norfolk County and Cape Cod. Married in 1964 to Andrea Jean Salemme, the family lived in Canton, MA where they raised four boys.
Active in many sports, Joe excelled in in semi-professional hockey and played for dozens of league teams throughout New England. Joe was an early pioneer in stock-car racing and was active in the Norwood Speedway.
Joe was passionate as a coach for Canton Youth Hockey and particularly enjoyed bringing young teams to Canada as part of friendship games between Canton and Pierrefond, Quebec. During the Blizzard of ’78, the Governor of Massachusetts commended Joe for his heroic actions helping to save stranded individuals along Route 95 and bringing them to safe havens throughout Canton.
Joe loved hunting, spending time with his many Labrador retrievers and fishing along trout streams in Canada.
Survived by wife, Andrea Comeau (Salemme) of Canton, four sons; George Comeau and his wife Patti of Canton, Christopher Comeau of Easton, Jonathan Comeau and his wife Patti of Canton, and Jeremy Comeau of Canton, as well as two brothers; Charles of Plymouth, MA and Daniel of Corberrie, Nova Scotia. He is also survived by 2 grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Joe will be fondly remembered for his cheery outlook and dedication to the youth of Canton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church 700 Washington St. Canton, MA on Tuesday, January 31st at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be alongside his father and mother at Église Sainte-Marie Church Point, Nova Scotia following a memorial mass planned for this spring. Donations in Joe’s name can be made to Canton Youth Hockey, P.O. Box 215, Canton, MA 02021.