Laurent A. Desautels, 79, of First Ave., Woonsocket, died Wednesday at home. He was the husband of 51 years of Simone (Ringuette) Desautels.
Born in Woonsocket, he was a son of the late Arthur and Albertine (Audet) Desautels. He was a lifelong resident of the city.
Mr. Desautels served in the Army during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Army of Occupation Medal.
Mr. Desautels worked as a custodian for the City of Woonsocket School Department for many years. He previously worked for the Brown & Sharp Co., Taft Pierce Co., and the Carling Black Label Co.
He was a life member of AMVETS.
Laurent enjoyed many outside activities and spending time at his summer cottage. He was well known for his mechanical repair abilities.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons, Richard R. Desautels, of Harrisville, Donald P. Desautels, of Burrillville, Mark E. Desautels, of Coventry, and Robert A. Desautels, of Woonsocket. Four grandsons, Sheldon Schobel, of Warwick, Kenneth Schobel, of North Smithfield, Nathan Desautels, and Joseph Desautels, both of Harrisville. He was the brother of Paul Desautels, of Woonsocket, Diane Lambert, of Pascoag, Pauline Paulhus, of Woonsocket, and the late Conrad, Germain, and Theodore Desautels, Therese Desautels, and Lucille Remillard. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be Saturday at 8:00 am from the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, 463 South Main St., Woonsocket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am in Sacred Heart Church, Second Ave, Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Saturday from 7:45 -8:45 am prior to Mass. Please visit fournierandfournier.com for guestbook and directions.