...active at St. William's and youth sports; 82
TEWKSBURY - Alphee J. Deveau, age 82 died Thursday, June 21 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Eleanor M. (Cantalupa) Deveau, with whom he had celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on May 15th.
He was born in Somerville, June 29, 1929, a son of the late Leo and Teresa (Gaudette) Deveau. He was raised in Somerville and upon graduation from Somerville High School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Because his brother was also serving in the Army and stationed in Korea, overseas regulations required his assignment to Europe. He served with the Occupation Forces in Germany. He applied his baseball skills to his Army career, and served as an Umpire for the various Army Base baseball leagues. He fondly recalled his European experience as a grand tour of the continent and visited many countries in his capacity as a Baseball Umpire. He served as an Umpire in the Somerville Youth Baseball League, and the Somerville C.Y.O. League. He later served as a coach in the Tewksbury Youth Basketball league.
Upon his honorable discharge, and marriage to Eleanor, they later moved to Tewksbury, where he had since resided.
Alphee worked as a foreman in the Shipping and Receiving Department at Ark-Less Switch Company in Watertown until his retirement.
He was an active member of the St. William's Parish community, where he served as an Usher at the Sunday 9:30 Masses, and was a member of St. William's Men's Club overseeing Friday night Bingo.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Coppen's Council 4336 in Tewksbury, and the Somerville American Legion Post 388. In his retirement, he was active at the Tewksbury Senior Center, as a member of the Pool League, and the "Swinging Seniors" traveling choir group. He was also a golfer, and enjoyed many out of state trips with his golf buddies. Not only will he be remembered for his devotion to his family, God and country, but also for his sharp wit, "dry humor," and his love for life.
Besides his beloved wife Eleanor, he is survived by four children, Judith Tompkins and her husband Robert of Pittsford, VT, Stephen Deveau and his wife Donna (Gendron) of Lowell, Denise Cameron and her husband Kevin of Claremont, NH, and Dianne Deveau of Tewksbury, with whom he and his wife resided; eight grandchildren, Kristen Deveau of Woburn, Thomas Deveau of Allston, Justin Deveau of Chelmsford, Kenneth Tompkins of ME, Collin Tompkins of VT, Kasey Cameron, Ryan Cameron, and Anne Marie Cameron all of Claremont, NH; a brother, Royden Deveau of Somerville; two sisters, Leonie Ward and Geraldine Enos both of Somerville; his sisters-in-law Rita (Cantalupa) Ducharme and her husband Leo of Tewksbury, Barbara (Cantalupa) Lonergan and her husband Edward of Nahant, Theresa (Cantalupa) O’Keefe of Medford, Mary Nutting and her husband William of AZ, and Anne Cantalupa of Arlington; his brothers-in-law Anthony Cantalupa and his wife Kathleen of Somerville, and Joseph Cantalupa and his wife Lois of N. Reading; and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brothers-in-law Robert Ward and Donald O’Keefe.
Visiting hours Sunday, June 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. His funeral will begin Monday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Monday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. in St. William's Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte 38) Tewksbury. Burial with Army Honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to TeamWalk for CancerCare at Lowell General Hospital, 295 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA in tribute to the many wonderful caregivers who have journeyed with him these past years or to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 Merrimack St, Bldg 9, Lawrence, MA 01843 in honor of the special caregivers who provided him care and comfort during his final days.