Alfred J. Guilmette, Jr., 88, beloved husband of Marcella M. (Vincelette) Guilmette, with whom he celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on May 10th of this year, died peacefully on June 6, 2008, surrounded by his loving wife, daughters, and family.
He was born on February 1st, 1920 in Dartmouth, MA where he was instrumental in the success of the family farm. He attended Prevost High School and was a WW II veteran. Mr. Guilmette entered the U.S. Army on April 22, 1942, and spent time in England with the 342nd Corps of Engineers in the Salsbury Plains area constructing bridges, airports, and advanced tactical buildings preparing for the invasion of the continent of Europe. This area was the largest military training ground in the world at the time.
Involved for 39 months in the European Theatre with the 1143rd Combat Engineers attached to General Patton’s Army, he was a Line Sergeant responsible for 13 men in his platoon. He landed June 6th, 1944 on the beaches of Normandy, France on D Day and passed away on the 64th anniversary of that date. He was awarded 4 Battle Star Medals for each battle he fought in, Normandy, St. Mary Eglise, Rhineland, and the Battle of the Bulge. The fighting took him to France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, liberating the people of these countries as the U.S. Army moved forward, and interpretating for the French Liberation Army. After 42 months of service, he returned home on the USS George Washington and was honorably discharged on October 30, 1945. He always attributed that he came home safely because “there was never a bullet with my name on it.”
More than 35 years spanned his career working on high tension lines for Montaup Electric Company in Somerset; 16 of those as a lineman 1st class, and over 20 as a supervisor of the line crew until his retirement in 1985. He and his crew were responsible for the high tension lines in Fall River, Brockton Edison, and Blackstone Valley. His work ethic was admired by all throughout his career.
He spent the first week of December each year deer hunting in Maine and the Berkshires. Throughout his life he enjoyed working outdoors, raising Beagles, hunting with them, gardening, feeding his birds, and maintaining a beautiful yard. As an avid sports fan, he rarely missed a Red Sox or Patriots game.
Mr. Guilmette was a Third Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus and a communicant of St. George Church in Dartmouth. He and his wife were president of the Fall River Liners Square Dance Club and danced for many years in Westport, and other clubs they visited in the greater southeast MA area. One event they hosted was a dance on the USS Massachusetts, which drew hundreds of dancers from near and far.
He loved his family dearly and was very proud of the life he and his wife had created together. His three daughters, five grandchildren, and two-great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Marcella M. (Vincelette) Guilmette, three daughters, Suzette (Guilmette) Vernon and her husband Bill from Maine, Janet (Guilmette) Blais and her husband Jerry from Tiverton, and Janice (Guilmette) Oliver and her husband Frank from Westport. Five grandchildren, Todd Oliver and wife Susan (Beavan) from Westport, Jennifer (Oliver) DaRocha and her husband Jared from Westport, Emily Blais from Tiverton, Elizabeth Connolly and Frank Connolly IV, both from Maine. Two great-grandchildren, Payton DaRocha from Westport, and Logan Oliver from Westport, who shared the same birthday, February 1st, as his Grand-Pepere. Brother Wilfred Guilmette from Dartmouth. Many nieces, nephews, and friends too many to mention.
He was predeceased by his parents Alfred J. and Leontine (Lepage) Guilmette, Sr., brothers Jermain (Jim) and Arthur Guilmette, and a sister Jean (Guilmette) Forest.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
“I love you more today than yesterday and not as much as tomorrow.”
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited to attend will be Wednesday, June 11, 2008 from Potter Funeral Home at 9:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. George Church, Westport at 10:00 A.M.
Interment will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5-8 P.M.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Westport Police Dep’t Gift Fund, 818 Main Road, Westport, MA 02790 or Westport Fire Dep’t Gift Fund, P.O. Box 3470, Westport, MA 02790.