Marcel A. “Frenchy” Ratisbonne, 96, of Manville Hill Rd., Cumberland, died Sunday at Oakland Grove Home in Woonsocket. He was the husband of the late Antoinette “Toni” (Desjardins) Ratisbonne.
Born in Chateau du Lomse, France, he was a son of the late Emile V. and Valentine (Chevallier) Ratisbonne. He resided in Manville from 1919 to 1951 and lived in Cumberland since 1951.
Prior to WWII, Mr. Ratisbonne served in the French Army from 1933 to 1934.
During WWII he served in the U.S. Army, 3rd Infantry Division, in the European Theater. He participated in the Rome-Anzio-Rhineland campaigns and received the Croix de Guerre.
Mr. Ratisbonne worked as a carpenter for the Edgar Sutherland Construction Co., as well as several other firms in the area, for over 40 years before retiring.
Marcel was a member of the American Legion Post 9 and the Golden Agers of Manville and Albion. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed bowling. He was a longtime communicant of St. Joan of Arc Church.
His funeral will be Friday at 9:00 am from the Menard Funeral Home, 71 Central St., Manville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Joan of Arc Church, Mendon Rd., Cumberland. Entombment with military honors will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville. Visiting hours are Thursday from 6-8 pm. Please find guestbook and directions at www.menardfuneralhome.com.