FALL RIVER… Leo W. Nadeau, a lifelong resident of Fall River, MA, passed away peacefully at home, after a short illness, on January 27, 2019. He was 93.
Leo is survived by his wife, the former Florence (Flo) Tessier, with whom he shared 72 years of marriage. Besides Flo, he is survived by their five children: Marcel Nadeau and his wife Shelly, Rehoboth, MA; Michelle Kelly and her husband William, Fall River, MA; Muriel Dion and her husband William, Fall River, MA; Monique Currier and her husband Steve, Newport, RI; and Madeleine Dorsey and her husband David, Taunton, MA; eight grandchildren: Shannon Nadeau, Nicole Matos, Jacqueline Wright, Karen Dion, Marcel Nadeau, Jr., Kathryn Barnes, Caitlyn Dorsey, and the late Kevin Dion; and ten great grandchildren: Jacob, Max, Ava, Addyson, Alex, Ava, Austin, Allie, Jace and Katielynn.
The son of Virginie (Lavoie) and Henri Nadeau, Leo was one of nine siblings, including Lydia Danis, Santa Rosa Valley, CA, and Joseph Nadeau, Dover, NJ, along with several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by sister Jeanne (Bussiere) and brothers Edeas, Albert, Armand, Clement, and Paul.
A graduate of Msgr. Prevost High School, Fall River, MA, Class of 1942, Leo was also an Army veteran of WWII. He was a long-time employee of the John Hancock Insurance Company, especially focused on the needs of policyholders on his debit throughout Fall River and Tiverton, RI. He was also long associated with St. Mathieu’s and St. Michael’s Credit Unions, serving in a number of capacities, including Chairman of the Board and President.
A gifted vocalist, Leo sang at masses, weddings and funerals throughout the greater Fall River area for more than six decades. For many years, he was principal soloist at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Fall River. In his later years, he performed the same functions at St. Joseph’s Church in Fall River.
More than anything else in his life, Leo was deeply devoted to Flo, to their children and their spouses, to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. The home he and Flo kept was always a place of hospitality, joy, and laughter. To say that Leo was deeply loved and will be deeply missed by all is an enormous understatement.
His funeral will take place on Monday, February 4th at 9:30 a.m. from the South Coast Funeral Home, 1555 Pleasant St. Fall River, MA 02723, with a Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St. Fall River, MA. Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 3rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at South Coast Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Leo’s memory to The Fly Foundation: Financial Lift for Young Adults With Cancer, PO Box 2528, Fall River, MA 02722, theflyfoundation.org.