George J “Uncle George” Lessard, 92, died Tuesday morning, at home, with his loving niece and caregiver, Kathleen, by his side. He was the devoted husband of the late Irene (Grenon) Lessard. They were married for 52 years.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Felix and Donalda (Alarie) Lessard. He was the beloved Uncle of Kathleen Knight Bianchi and her husband Ron, with whom he lived since his wife’s’ passing. He lived most of his life in Scituate, except for 10 years he lived in Palm Harbor, FL, returning to Scituate in 1999.
“Uncle George”, as he was so loving known by all, was a proud WWII Veteran and true Patriot. He enlisted in the Navy in Dec. 1942 and was proud to serve his country. From Camp Perry, Virginia he was sent to Port Hueneme, California for advanced training for the 32d Marine Replacement Battalion. Sent on to New Caledonia, the Battle of Guadalcanal and then a Convoy to Guam. Enroute to Guam he was injured and sent to Aiea Naval Hospital, Hawaii. Although he had a permanent injury to his right hand, he never let it get in the way of his many accomplishments. He was honorably discharged October 1945.
For many years he worked for Heat, Process Steam and Piping Corp. He was sent to Almy & York-Shipley Boiler Company and trained to repair boilers, both residential and commercial. He was so good at it, he was always called when others couldn’t fix the problem. At age 52 he was laid off but was fortunate to find a job with General Dynamics, Electric Boat, Quonset division, where he would work till his retirement. Again, he was well liked and excelled at whatever challenge they gave him. He was presented with a Commendation for his valuable contribution to the Division through the Employee Suggestion Program, which saved the company Thousands of dollars in the first year. They called upon George to meet with then Governor J Joseph Garrahy and Senator John Chaffee visiting the Division. When he retired the General Manager of Electric Boat Division gave him a beautiful presentation for his ten years of expertise and knowledge that they so needed.
Uncle George had the gift of putting a smile on everyone’s face. He knew how to cheer you up and didn’t like to see tears. He loved to sing and always had music on. He loved to garden and work in the yard with Kathleen. And he loved flowers. He loved to tell jokes, even the silliest. He was soft spoken and warm hearted. He loved to travel, especially to Florida where he would make so many friends. He often said he could fix anything, and he did. He loved to go anywhere Kathleen was going…be it shopping, restaurants’, travelling or just for a ride. He was loved by so many and will be deeply missed.
Besides Kathleen and Ron, he leaves his extended Bianchi family, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Irene Morrissette, Blanche Shurtleff, Juliette Counoyer, Aurora Richards, Florence Abrahamson, Corrine Wahl Arpin, Lillian Knight Tuttle, Claire Chapdelaine, Theresa Roberts, Loretta Verdi, and 4 brothers Arthur, Alpert, Alcide and Joseph Lessard.
His funeral will be held Friday at 10 am from Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in St. Philips Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial with Military Honors to follow in the RI Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter. Visitation Thursday 4-7pm. Flowers are welcome or Memorial Contributions to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250, Alzheimer's Association, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906 or the American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007.
Alzheimers Association
American Lung Association
Disabled American Veterans