Alfred Joseph “Frenchy” Deschenes was born on September 28, 1922 and died on June 8, 2016 with family members at his side. He was 93 years young. He was married for over 67 years to the love of his life, Joyce Eloise Conley Deschenes. Unfortunately, Mom died before him of the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease on April 8, 2014. He was born to Cleophas Deschenes and Clara St. Aubin Deschenes in Lawrence, Massachusetts, both of whom greeted him warmly in the afterlife. He was the oldest of eight children with his two sisters, Rita Kimball and Alice Dumais, surviving him. All of his brothers, Raymond, Robert, Roland, Henry, and Phillip predeceased him.
Dad began working in the local mill at the tender age of seven where he would run get the correct thread when one of the millworkers ran out. These millworkers included his father and uncles. Dad graduated from Lawrence, Massachusetts High School in 1940. He was of Canadian-French descent and only spoke French throughout high school until he decided he want to enlist in the United States Navy and thereafter learned to speak English. He did enlist in the Navy on October 22, 1942. Dad told us that he preferred to enlist in the Navy rather than be drafted into the U.S. Army and spend his war years in a “long walk across Europe”. He served aboard the United States Ships Wasp, Saratoga, Intrepid and Enterprise, among others. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, Peacetime and the Vietnam War. He attended the Chief Petty Officer Academy in Pensacola, Florida and retired on August 31, 1970 after 28 years with the rank of Chief Petty Officer E8. While Dad wanted to serve two more years, he was strongly encouraged to retire by Mom because he was scheduled to go on an eighteen months cruise during those last two years. Mom said there was no way he was going to leave her for that long with a house full of teenagers!
That leads to Dad’s greatest legacy, his thirteen children, all of whom he was blessed to have survive him: Theresa (Vince) Randazzo, Sandra (Sam) Floyd, Ray (Shirley), Denise Ellis, Joe (Jeanne), John, Mary (Dan) Stumph, Fay (Randy) Dietzel, Eva (Joe) Bedran, Mike (Julie), Paul, Norman(Christy), and Roger (Kim). Followed by his grandchildren: Demian Deschenes, Samantha (Scott) Krug, Jeff Floyd, Tim Floyd, Sabrina Ponce, Adeline (Kenneth) Lamb, Steven Ellis, Chris Deschenes, Brandi (Rick) Sigler, Daniel (Amelia Alderman, his fiancé) Stumph, Matt (Victoria) Stumph, Claire (Logan) Kaczkowski, Katie Dietzel, Allison (Jason) Kirchner, Joanna Bedran, Mikaela (Devon) Zook, Devin Deschenes, Courtney Collins, and Logan Deschenes. And don’t forget the great grandkids: Cooper & Jacob Krug, Tyler & Ryan Ponce, Finley & Ellis Lamb, Alina, Ireland & Lucas Sigler, Marlee & Kosta Stumph, Liam Kaczkowski and, Joshua Bedran. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that Dad loved Stephen & Bonny Hicks, as well as their children, Natalie & Nicholas, like his own.
Dad proudly served in the United States Navy, retiring after 28 years, but that was not the end of his working career. He worked as an automobile mechanic at North Florida Lincoln Mercury for ten years, followed by another ten years as a building maintenance mechanic at the Independent Life Building. Upon retiring, he and Mom spent several years traveling the United States from Niagara Falls to Lois’ chicken farm in Louisiana and everywhere in between. He played a mean game of horseshoes and was a champion of cribbage. Dad loved to be called upon to house sit and care for the pets of Mom’s brother and his wife, Johnnie and Glenda Conley, in Oviedo, Florida. He took well care of Bilbo and then Molly as Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Glenda went on their worldwide travels.
His passions in life were (in this order) his country, his wife, Christ the King Catholic Church, and then all his children. We each thought we were the most special kid in his life and as adults were surprised to find out that each of us felt that we were his ultimate favorite. He had that special way of making the important people in his life feel that they were the most important person in his life. While Dad will be sorely missed in a place in our hearts that no one will ever be able to replace, we take comfort that he has joined Mom in everlasting peace.
The family owes a great deal of thanks to our brother John and his daughter, Brandi, for all the care they provided to both Mom and Dad and then ultimately Dad. Because of them, Dad was able to stay in his home as long as possible. We also thank Sandra, Sabrina and Fay for huge contributions for Dad’s care. Since January, Dad has been cared for and loved by the nurses and staff of Clarity Pointe, Jacksonville, a memory care facility.
Dad began working in the local mill at the tender age of seven where he would run get the correct thread when one of the millworkers ran out. These millworkers included his father and uncles. Dad graduated from Lawrence, Massachusetts High School in 1940. He was of Canadian-French descent and only spoke French throughout high school until he decided he want to enlist in the United States Navy and thereafter learned to speak English. He did enlist in the Navy on October 22, 1942. Dad told us that he preferred to enlist in the Navy rather than be drafted into the U.S. Army and spend his war years in a “long walk across Europe”. He served aboard the United States Ships Wasp, Saratoga, Intrepid and Enterprise, among others. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, Peacetime and the Vietnam War. He attended the Chief Petty Officer Academy in Pensacola, Florida and retired on August 31, 1970 after 28 years with the rank of Chief Petty Officer E8. While Dad wanted to serve two more years, he was strongly encouraged to retire by Mom because he was scheduled to go on an eighteen months cruise during those last two years. Mom said there was no way he was going to leave her for that long with a house full of teenagers!
That leads to Dad’s greatest legacy, his thirteen children, all of whom he was blessed to have survive him: Theresa (Vince) Randazzo, Sandra (Sam) Floyd, Ray (Shirley), Denise Ellis, Joe (Jeanne), John, Mary (Dan) Stumph, Fay (Randy) Dietzel, Eva (Joe) Bedran, Mike (Julie), Paul, Norman(Christy), and Roger (Kim). Followed by his grandchildren: Demian Deschenes, Samantha (Scott) Krug, Jeff Floyd, Tim Floyd, Sabrina Ponce, Adeline (Kenneth) Lamb, Steven Ellis, Chris Deschenes, Brandi (Rick) Sigler, Daniel (Amelia Alderman, his fiancé) Stumph, Matt (Victoria) Stumph, Claire (Logan) Kaczkowski, Katie Dietzel, Allison (Jason) Kirchner, Joanna Bedran, Mikaela (Devon) Zook, Devin Deschenes, Courtney Collins, and Logan Deschenes. And don’t forget the great grandkids: Cooper & Jacob Krug, Tyler & Ryan Ponce, Finley & Ellis Lamb, Alina, Ireland & Lucas Sigler, Marlee & Kosta Stumph, Liam Kaczkowski and, Joshua Bedran. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that Dad loved Stephen & Bonny Hicks, as well as their children, Natalie & Nicholas, like his own.
Dad proudly served in the United States Navy, retiring after 28 years, but that was not the end of his working career. He worked as an automobile mechanic at North Florida Lincoln Mercury for ten years, followed by another ten years as a building maintenance mechanic at the Independent Life Building. Upon retiring, he and Mom spent several years traveling the United States from Niagara Falls to Lois’ chicken farm in Louisiana and everywhere in between. He played a mean game of horseshoes and was a champion of cribbage. Dad loved to be called upon to house sit and care for the pets of Mom’s brother and his wife, Johnnie and Glenda Conley, in Oviedo, Florida. He took well care of Bilbo and then Molly as Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Glenda went on their worldwide travels.
His passions in life were (in this order) his country, his wife, Christ the King Catholic Church, and then all his children. We each thought we were the most special kid in his life and as adults were surprised to find out that each of us felt that we were his ultimate favorite. He had that special way of making the important people in his life feel that they were the most important person in his life. While Dad will be sorely missed in a place in our hearts that no one will ever be able to replace, we take comfort that he has joined Mom in everlasting peace.
The family owes a great deal of thanks to our brother John and his daughter, Brandi, for all the care they provided to both Mom and Dad and then ultimately Dad. Because of them, Dad was able to stay in his home as long as possible. We also thank Sandra, Sabrina and Fay for huge contributions for Dad’s care. Since January, Dad has been cared for and loved by the nurses and staff of Clarity Pointe, Jacksonville, a memory care facility.
Alfred Joseph “Frenchy” Deschenes was born on September 28, 1922 and died on June 8, 2016 with family members at his side. He was 93 years young. He was married for over 67 years to the love of his life, Joyce Eloise Conley Deschenes. Unfortunately, Mom died before him of the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease on April 8, 2014. He was born to Cleophas Deschenes and Clara St. Aubin Deschenes in Lawrence, Massachusetts, both of whom greeted him warmly in the afterlife. He was the oldest of eight children with his two sisters, Rita Kimball and Alice Dumais, surviving him. All of his brothers, Raymond, Robert, Roland, Henry, and Phillip predeceased him.
Dad began working in the local mill at the tender age of seven where he would run get the correct thread when one of the millworkers ran out. These millworkers included his father and uncles. Dad graduated from Lawrence, Massachusetts High School in 1940. He was of Canadian-French descent and only spoke French throughout high school until he decided he want to enlist in the United States Navy and thereafter learned to speak English. He did enlist in the Navy on October 22, 1942. Dad told us that he preferred to enlist in the Navy rather than be drafted into the U.S. Army and spend his war years in a “long walk across Europe”. He served aboard the United States Ships Wasp, Saratoga, Intrepid and Enterprise, among others. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, Peacetime and the Vietnam War. He attended the Chief Petty Officer Academy in Pensacola, Florida and retired on August 31, 1970 after 28 years with the rank of Chief Petty Officer E8. While Dad wanted to serve two more years, he was strongly encouraged to retire by Mom because he was scheduled to go on an eighteen months cruise during those last two years. Mom said there was no way he was going to leave her for that long with a house full of teenagers!
That leads to Dad’s greatest legacy, his thirteen children, all of whom he was blessed to have survive him: Theresa (Vince) Randazzo, Sandra (Sam) Floyd, Ray (Shirley), Denise Ellis, Joe (Jeanne), John, Mary (Dan) Stumph, Fay (Randy) Dietzel, Eva (Joe) Bedran, Mike (Julie), Paul, Norman(Christy), and Roger (Kim). Followed by his grandchildren: Demian Deschenes, Samantha (Scott) Krug, Jeff Floyd, Tim Floyd, Sabrina Ponce, Adeline (Kenneth) Lamb, Steven Ellis, Chris Deschenes, Brandi (Rick) Sigler, Daniel (Amelia Alderman, his fiancé) Stumph, Matt (Victoria) Stumph, Claire (Logan) Kaczkowski, Katie Dietzel, Allison (Jason) Kirchner, Joanna Bedran, Mikaela (Devon) Zook, Devin Deschenes, Courtney Collins, and Logan Deschenes. And don’t forget the great grandkids: Cooper & Jacob Krug, Tyler & Ryan Ponce, Finley & Ellis Lamb, Alina, Ireland & Lucas Sigler, Marlee & Kosta Stumph, Liam Kaczkowski and, Joshua Bedran. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that Dad loved Stephen & Bonny Hicks, as well as their children, Natalie & Nicholas, like his own.
Dad proudly served in the United States Navy, retiring after 28 years, but that was not the end of his working career. He worked as an automobile mechanic at North Florida Lincoln Mercury for ten years, followed by another ten years as a building maintenance mechanic at the Independent Life Building. Upon retiring, he and Mom spent several years traveling the United States from Niagara Falls to Lois’ chicken farm in Louisiana and everywhere in between. He played a mean game of horseshoes and was a champion of cribbage. Dad loved to be called upon to house sit and care for the pets of Mom’s brother and his wife, Johnnie and Glenda Conley, in Oviedo, Florida. He took well care of Bilbo and then Molly as Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Glenda went on their worldwide travels.
His passions in life were (in this order) his country, his wife, Christ the King Catholic Church, and then all his children. We each thought we were the most special kid in his life and as adults were surprised to find out that each of us felt that we were his ultimate favorite. He had that special way of making the important people in his life feel that they were the most important person in his life. While Dad will be sorely missed in a place in our hearts that no one will ever be able to replace, we take comfort that he has joined Mom in everlasting peace.
The family owes a great deal of thanks to our brother John and his daughter, Brandi, for all the care they provided to both Mom and Dad and then ultimately Dad. Because of them, Dad was able to stay in his home as long as possible. We also thank Sandra, Sabrina and Fay for huge contributions for Dad’s care. Since January, Dad has been cared for and loved by the nurses and staff of Clarity Pointe, Jacksonville, a memory care facility.
Dad began working in the local mill at the tender age of seven where he would run get the correct thread when one of the millworkers ran out. These millworkers included his father and uncles. Dad graduated from Lawrence, Massachusetts High School in 1940. He was of Canadian-French descent and only spoke French throughout high school until he decided he want to enlist in the United States Navy and thereafter learned to speak English. He did enlist in the Navy on October 22, 1942. Dad told us that he preferred to enlist in the Navy rather than be drafted into the U.S. Army and spend his war years in a “long walk across Europe”. He served aboard the United States Ships Wasp, Saratoga, Intrepid and Enterprise, among others. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, Peacetime and the Vietnam War. He attended the Chief Petty Officer Academy in Pensacola, Florida and retired on August 31, 1970 after 28 years with the rank of Chief Petty Officer E8. While Dad wanted to serve two more years, he was strongly encouraged to retire by Mom because he was scheduled to go on an eighteen months cruise during those last two years. Mom said there was no way he was going to leave her for that long with a house full of teenagers!
That leads to Dad’s greatest legacy, his thirteen children, all of whom he was blessed to have survive him: Theresa (Vince) Randazzo, Sandra (Sam) Floyd, Ray (Shirley), Denise Ellis, Joe (Jeanne), John, Mary (Dan) Stumph, Fay (Randy) Dietzel, Eva (Joe) Bedran, Mike (Julie), Paul, Norman(Christy), and Roger (Kim). Followed by his grandchildren: Demian Deschenes, Samantha (Scott) Krug, Jeff Floyd, Tim Floyd, Sabrina Ponce, Adeline (Kenneth) Lamb, Steven Ellis, Chris Deschenes, Brandi (Rick) Sigler, Daniel (Amelia Alderman, his fiancé) Stumph, Matt (Victoria) Stumph, Claire (Logan) Kaczkowski, Katie Dietzel, Allison (Jason) Kirchner, Joanna Bedran, Mikaela (Devon) Zook, Devin Deschenes, Courtney Collins, and Logan Deschenes. And don’t forget the great grandkids: Cooper & Jacob Krug, Tyler & Ryan Ponce, Finley & Ellis Lamb, Alina, Ireland & Lucas Sigler, Marlee & Kosta Stumph, Liam Kaczkowski and, Joshua Bedran. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that Dad loved Stephen & Bonny Hicks, as well as their children, Natalie & Nicholas, like his own.
Dad proudly served in the United States Navy, retiring after 28 years, but that was not the end of his working career. He worked as an automobile mechanic at North Florida Lincoln Mercury for ten years, followed by another ten years as a building maintenance mechanic at the Independent Life Building. Upon retiring, he and Mom spent several years traveling the United States from Niagara Falls to Lois’ chicken farm in Louisiana and everywhere in between. He played a mean game of horseshoes and was a champion of cribbage. Dad loved to be called upon to house sit and care for the pets of Mom’s brother and his wife, Johnnie and Glenda Conley, in Oviedo, Florida. He took well care of Bilbo and then Molly as Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Glenda went on their worldwide travels.
His passions in life were (in this order) his country, his wife, Christ the King Catholic Church, and then all his children. We each thought we were the most special kid in his life and as adults were surprised to find out that each of us felt that we were his ultimate favorite. He had that special way of making the important people in his life feel that they were the most important person in his life. While Dad will be sorely missed in a place in our hearts that no one will ever be able to replace, we take comfort that he has joined Mom in everlasting peace.
The family owes a great deal of thanks to our brother John and his daughter, Brandi, for all the care they provided to both Mom and Dad and then ultimately Dad. Because of them, Dad was able to stay in his home as long as possible. We also thank Sandra, Sabrina and Fay for huge contributions for Dad’s care. Since January, Dad has been cared for and loved by the nurses and staff of Clarity Pointe, Jacksonville, a memory care facility.
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