Joseph W. "Willie" Breton, age 81, died Friday, March 6, 2009 in Lowell after an extended illness. For 54 years, he was the beloved husband of Mafalda (Moruccio) Breton.
He was born in Lowell on Dec. 26, 1927, a son of the late Oxeliphas and Vitaline (Martineau) Breton. Willie was a longtime resident of Dracut and a communicant of the former Ste. Jeanne d'Arc Parish in Lowell. He served in the US Navy and Merchant Marines during WWII and the Korean Conflict.
Willie was a member of the UAW and was employed as a welder with General Motors in Framingham for 30 years until his retirement.
He was a dedicated and loving family man who enjoyed fishing and being with his family, especially his grandchildren which he helped raise.
Besides his loving wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Marco and Marjorie Breton of Hooksett, NH; a daughter and son-in-law, Giovanna "Joanne" and Kenneth Roy of Dracut; five sisters and four brothers-in-law, Rita and Edmond Carpentier of FL, Anita and Frank Prescott of NH, Simone and Robert Gregoire of CA, Georgette Cote of VA, and Noela and Leon Deninger of FL; five brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond and Irene Breton of NH, Conrad and Jacqueline Breton of FL, Robert and Barbara Breton of NH, Leo and Penny Breton of AZ, Victor and Marilyn Breton of NH; seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Jeffrey, Christina, Joseph, Taryn, Stacey and Brian; also many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Anna Loiselle who died in 2008 and Claire Villemaire who died in 2004
Relatives and friends may call at the M. R. LAURIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 295 Pawtucket St., Lowell on Sunday, March 8 from 2 to 6pm. Funeral Monday morning with a Prayer Service to be held at 10:30am at the Chapel of St. Joseph Cemetery in E. Chelmsford. Interment to follow