Joseph Valmont Theriault Obituary (1919 - 2013)

Joseph Valmont "Val" Theriault passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thurs. Aug. 1, at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta where he had been a resident for two and a half years. He was born Aug. 11, 1919 in Ste. Godefroy, Quebec the son of Euphemien and Malvina Gignac Theriault. When he was a small child, his family emigrated to Winslow, Maine and he became a naturalized citizen as a young man. Val married Anita "Neat" Breton in 1942 and they were married for 59 years until she passed away in 2002. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth of Hastings, Oklahoma and Wayne and wife Patricia of Waterville; two daughters, Darlene Dulude and husband John of Milford, MA. And Larna Rosenberger and husband Scott of Waxahachie, TX.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Holly Fiorenza, husband Pat and sons, Jonathan and Timothy of Dover, PA, Christian Theriault and wife Lelaina of Duncan, OK., Justin Dulude of Douglas, MA., Nicole and Caroline Theriault of Brooklyn, NY, Emily Theriault of Washington, DC and Jordan and Jason Rosenberger of Waxahachie. He is also survived by one brother, Peter; special brother- and sister-in-law, Don and Jean Doyon; and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anita; daughter-in-law, Lee Theriault; brothers, Damase, Arthur, Norbert and Arthur; and sisters, Juliana Dubay and Fernande Arsenault. He was educated in local schools but was forced to leave school early to help support his widowed mother and his siblings during the Depression. He eventually earned a diploma through correspondence school and went on to take evening courses in drafting, electrical, plumbing and welding. Using these skill, he designed the family home in Waterville. He served overseas in the Navy during WWII, primarily in the Mediterranean, and participated in the invasion of France. He was very proud of the fact that he had three brothers who also served in the Navy and one brother who was a Marine. He maintained contact with his shipmates and attended many Naval Reunions over the years at various locations around the country. He was a life member of VFW #8855 in Winslow and the American Legion Post #5 in Waterville. He was a machinist by trade and spent most of work life in local mills, from division foreman at the Lockwood Cotton Mill to move-up foreman at Scott Paper Mill in Winslow. He was a member of International Assoc. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. In addition, he and Neat owned and managed two small apartment buildings. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart church in Waterville where he served as an usher for 36 years. Devoted to his wife and family, he especially enjoyed interactions with small children. Early family vacations were often spent at Fundy Park in New Brunswick or in his native Gaspe. In retirement Val and Anita enjoyed travel to Hawaii, Florida, many national parks and several Canadian provinces. He delighted in entertaining visitors and staff at the Veterans Home by reciting all five stanzas of his favorite poem, Young at Heart, which begins: How do I know my youth has been spent? Cause my "get-up-and\=go" got up and went! But in spite of all that, I'm able to grin, When I think of where my "get-up-and-go" has been! By his request, there will be no visiting hours nor services at this time. An on-line guest book may be signed and condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com. Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.