Aram N. Degrange, 96, of Woonsocket died Tuesday July 31, 2018 at St. Antoine Residence. He was the loving husband of the late Lorraine (Crepeau) Degrange and the late Muriel (Lecours) Degrange.
Born and raised in Blackstone he was a son of the late Albert and Laura (Barrie) Degrange. He was a resident of Woonsocket for over 70 years.
Mr. Degrange was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific Theater as a combat engineer with the 96th Infantry Division. He participated in the invasions of the Philippines in October 1944, Okinawa in April 1945 and Korea in November 1945. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct, American Campaign, WWII Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Philippine Liberation and Philippine Independence Medals, Army Presidential Citation given by President Harry S. Truman and Unit Citation given by Philippine President Marcos.
Mr. Degrange served with the Woonsocket Police Department for over 35 years. He retired in 1986 with the rank of Lieutenant. He received his education in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement from Salve Regina University and also attended Bryant University. Mr. Degrange was an expert in the area of fingerprint analysis. He also oversaw the development and implementation of many other areas of modern police investigations currently in use by the Woonsocket Police.
Aram was a dedicated family man and could always be found helping his family. He was a Red Sox fan and an outgoing and friendly gentleman.
Aram loved the City of Woonsocket, it was “His City” and his duty in life was to serve and protect. Aram’s service to his country and his community are an integral part of his legacy.
He is survived by two sons David Degrange (Capt.W.F.D. Ret.) and his wife Cindy of North Smithfield and Alan Benoit of Coventry, and two daughters Joan Hutchins and her husband Keith and Cynthia Sokol and her husband Stephen all of North Smithfield. He was the brother of the late Albert, Leo, Rene, Roger and Normand Degrange and Violette Ferron. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brandon, Kaylie and Benjamin Degrange, Sasha and Kassandra Sokol, Adam Hutchins and Gary Benoit, a great- granddaughter Ahriana and many nieces and nephews and their families.
His funeral will be Saturday at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave, Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of RI 245 Waterman St. Suite 306 Providence, RI. 02906 or www.alz.org. www.menardfuneralhome.com