Salem: Hector B. Morneau, age 82 of Salem, died at the Salem Hospital, Saturday, January 15, 2011 following a brief illness. He was the husband of Genevieve J. (Bouchard) Morneau, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Zotique and Blanche (Leger) Morneau. Hector was a well known organ builder and repairer who worked extensively on the North Shore and in greater Boston. As a young man he regularly played the organ at the old Paramount Theater in Salem, prior to the feature films. He began his career by serving an apprenticeship with the Aeolian Skinner Co. of Boston and eventually began his own Morneau Organ Sales and Service Company. After his retirement from organ building, he opened Morneau Industries, a sharpening service company still in operation today.
In addition to his love of music, he was an avid reader and a familiar face among all of the libraries of the North Shore. He also loved modeltrains and the History Channel.
Hector was a former member of the National Guard. He was a member of the former St. Joseph Parish and was currently a member of St. James Parish.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Paul H. Morneau of Salem, 5 daughters, Colette G. Pelletier and her husband Richard of Hillsboro, NH, Nicole G., Celeste G., & Denise G. Morneau all of Salem, Michelle G. Muse of Chelmsford, a sister, Jeanne O’Toole and her husband Paul of Salem, seven grandchildren, Danielle North and her husband Al of Warwick, RI, Richard Pelletier and his wife Jessie of Portsmouth, NH, Michael Pelletier and his wife Emily of Concord, NH, Aimee Moriarity and her husband Dustin of Belmont, NH, Celine Morneau of Salem, John Muse of Worcester, Stephanie Muse of Chelmsford. He is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Lucien Morneau.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral mass on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, Federal St., Salem. There will be no visiting hours. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For guestbook, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com