Joseph T. “Teddy” Lavallee, 86, beloved husband of Aline M. (Gagnon) Lavallee of Fall River, MA, passed away at Crawford Skilled Nursing Home on Monday, December 06, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Lavallee was born in Fall River, MA to Edouard Lavallee and Robea (Hetu) Lavallee. Before moving to Fall River, he lived most of his life in North Dartmouth.
Prior to joining the Navy, Mr. Lavallee was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He served proudly on the Pacific front during World War II as a cook on a patrol cruiser, and was awarded Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal and American Theater Medal.
After the war ended, Mr. Lavallee worked as a chef at the Hotel Mellen in Fall River, MA. Next, he worked at Brown & Sharpe where he was trained as a tool and die maker. He then worked for a number of years at the Continental Screw Co., in New Bedford, MA as a machinist. Later, he worked as a mechanical engineering technician at NUWC in Newport, RI. He retired in 1983.
For many years, Mr. Lavallee was active in the Bristol Life Member Telephone Pioneers where he helped to make “Hug-A-Bears”. He was a founding member of the Romeos and Juliets Square Dance Club. Mr. Lavallee also donated his time working at St. George Parish Bingo. He derived his greatest pleasure from cooking for others and no one who attended one of his clam boils ever forgot it. His greatest pride was his children.
In addition to his beloved wife of 64 years, he is survived by his 3 daughters Lucille M. Rosa and her husband Joseph of Assonet; Suzanne A. Lavallee of No. Dartmouth; Laurianne J. Duquenoy and her husband Denis of Rehoboth, and by his 2 sons Roger P. Lavallee of No. Dartmouth and Roland E. Lavallee and his wife Ginger of Acushnet. He leaves his brother Fernand Lavallee of Potomac, MD. He is survived by 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Theodore L. Lavallee, his brothers, Joseph Roland, Joseph Gerard, Joseph Napoleon, Joseph Ralph Lavallee, a sister, Marie Germaine Lavallee and a grandson, Lance Lavallee.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Friday, December 10, 2010 from the Potter Funeral Home at 8:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. George Church, Westport at 9:00 A.M.
Calling hours Thursday 5 – 8 P.M.
Interment in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.