Paul Emile Landry, 92, of New Bedford, died on Wednesday December 14, 2005 at Sacred Heart Home after a brief illness. He was the widower of Lauretta (Philibert) Landry, his "Sweetheart" who passed away on May 1, 2005. Mr. and Mrs. Landry celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in November 2004.
Born in St. George de Chaplain, Canada, the son of the late George and Helen (Plourde-Dube) Landry, he lived in Fall River, New Bedford and surrounding towns as well as Parkersburg, West Virginia, and with his daughter Jacqueline Landry Scott, in New Bedford. He was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church in Dartmouth prior to moving to Sacred Heart Home.
As a young man, Mr. Landry worked in the textile industry as a sewing machine mechanic. He was a General Manager of Economy Blouse in New Bedford and Pennsboro, W. Va. and Eastern Sportswear in New Bedford until his retirement.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Wamsutta Lodge of New Bedford, having been recognized for 50 years of service on August 28, 2005 at a special ceremony attended by his Masonic brothers and family members.
Mr. Landry was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving onboard the U.S.S. Phelps and working as a salvage diver and diving trainer in Dakar, Africa. He assisted in the recommissioning of 14 ships of various flags that had been immobilized at Dakar. One of his proudest moments was volunteering to be a driver for a U.S. Admiral in Italy when he was allowed to accompany the Admiral to the Vatican to have an audience with the Pope.
Mr. Landry enjoyed going to Florida to visit his son Paul and daughter-in-law Patricia and going to Las Vegas and to the Mohegan Sun with his daughter Jackie and son-in-law Barry. He enjoyed special family occasions spent with his grandson Jeffrey Cochran of New Bedford and his great-grandchildren Alexis Cochran of Dartmouth and Joshua Cochran of New Bedford.
Mr. Landry was loved by many and had special love for children. He was always referred to as a nice man and a gentleman.
Survivors include a son, Paul E. Landry, Jr., and his wife Patricia, of Beverly Hills, Florida; a daughter, Jacqueline Landry Scott, and her husband Barry, of New Bedford; a sister, Yvette Moraux of Acushnet; three grandsons, Jeffrey Cochran and his companion, Terry Morris, of New Bedford, Paul Landry III and his wife Terri of Westford, MA, and David Landry and his wife Karen, of Action, ME; 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Joseph Landry, Jeanne Amaral and Adrien Landry.
His funeral service will be on Monday December 19, 2005 at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Sunday December 18, 2005 from 2-6 PM.