J.G. Roma Dussault, 89, of New Bedford, died Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Pauline C. (Hunt) Dussault; they were married for 65 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Benjamin and Almanda (Ruest) Dussault, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
Mr. Dussault was formerly employed as a firefighter with the New Bedford Fire Department for 35 years until his retirement. He enjoyed volunteering as Santa every year, for over 62 years, at local kindergartens, daycare centers and Clasky Common Park.
During World War II, Mr. Dussault served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill as a Corsair plane captain, and was a recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign ribbon with 12 Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. As a survivor of a Japanese kamikaze attack on his ship on May 11, 1945, his experiences were detailed in a chapter in the book "Danger's Hour" by Maxwell Kennedy.
He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Fairhaven, and enjoyed sailing his sailboat to Martha's Vineyard and around Buzzards Bay.
Survivors include 2 sons, Atty. Thomas R. Dussault and his wife Mary Pyatte of Fairhaven and Atty. James P. Dussault and his wife Carrie of Westport; 2 grandchildren, Nathan and Keira; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Norman Dussault and Claire Constantine.
His Funeral will be held on Wednesday at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 9 AM. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 3-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.