Amesbury, Mass.-----Francis ”Blackie” A. Desruisseaux, age 87, of 4 Ora Ave. died at the Genesis Eldercare, Laconia, NH on Tuesday, Oct. 5th, 2010 after a long illness. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Gadsby) Desruisseaux, and was married 62 years.
Born to Adolphe and Annie (Dionne) Desruisseaux on Nov. 26, l922 in Newburyport, Mass. A life time resident of Amesbury, he was the foreman of the Tree Dept. for the town for 30 years and retired, and worked at Oakland Ind. and retired for a second time at the age of 70.
Blackie served in the Marine Corps. during WWII on the destroyer the USS Astoria and state side during the Korean Conflict. He was a lifetime member of the VFW in Amesbury and a past Commander in l962. Also active in the American Legion Post #187. A Captain of the Ladder #1 as a volunteer in the Amesbury Fire Dept.
Since l958, he and his family enjoyed summers at Lake Shore Park in Gilford, NH where he relaxed on weekends and played cribbage on Sunday nights. Both Blackie and his wife learned to ski and golf after retiring and were members at Oakhill Golf Course in Meredith and season pass holders at Gunstock Ski area in the winter.
Survivors include, a daughter, Joan Coburn, and her husband, William, of Epsom, two grandchildren, Gary Gooding of Charleston, So. Carolina and Stacey Palatano, of Plantation, Fl; two great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his very close brother-in-laws, Philip Gadsby, of Derry, Harold Gadsby and his wife, Othelda, of San Antonio, Tx. and Robert Gadsby and his wife, Elinor, of Salisbury, Mass. In addition to his wife and parents, a son, Gary A. Desruisseaux, and two older brothers and a younger sister, Elsie, predeceased him.
There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be sent to Franklin Animal Rescue in Franklin, NH or to any animal rescue of your choosing. Blackie always had pets and they played a great roll in is life.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the family plot in Union Cemetery in Amesbury, Mass.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the New Hampshire arrangements, Paul C. Rogers Funeral Home, Amesbury, Mass. is in charge of the Massachusetts arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.