Wales, MA – Joseph L. Ouellet, 76, of Wales, MA passed away on May 1, while on hospice care at his home after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Joe leaves his wife and caregiver Suzanne (Bard) Ouellet of Wales; his son, Christopher M. Ouellet of South Londonderry, Vermont; his sisters, Louise, Houston of Worcester, Diane Ouellet of West Brookfield; his brothers, George Ouellet of Worcester, Alvin Ouellet and his husband, Jose Duran of Adams, MA; several nieces, nephews and a plethora of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joachim and Lorraine Ouellet and an infant brother, Leo-Paul Ouellet.
Joe was born in St. Charles, New Brunswick, Canada and immigrated to the United States when he was 10 years old and always remained very proud of his French-Canadian heritage and ongoing Canadian citizenship. Joe graduated from Holy Name High School, Worcester where he played baseball and basketball for the Ionic Avenue Boys Club. Joe then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. After the military, Joe graduated from Quinsigamond Community College and UMass-Amherst with a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education.
Joe taught PE briefly at Framingham North High School but opted to return to Norton Company - Saint Gobain ceramics where he had worked part time while in high school and college. Joe’s many positions in the refractories division allowed him to travel extensively to Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, California, Indiana, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and India. Joe retired from Saint Gobain in 2014 after 43 years of part and full-time service.
Joe was in integral part of the Worcester area ice hockey programs. He coached at Tantasqua High School, Sturbridge; Bay Path High School, Charlton; Nichols College, Dudley, and Becker College, Leicester. He also played on many area teams – Kennedy Construction, Mac Bens Flying Feet, Olde Knights, CT Walrus. Joe found his true joy when skating for the Central Mass Rusty Blades at the Auburn and Worcester arenas. Joe earned the Lifetime Membership Award from the Rusty Blades and was very proud to skate with his favorite guys, Joe also enjoyed golf. He shot a hole-in-one at Kettlebrook Golf Course, Paxton on the 12th hole on June 24, 2003.
Joe loved dogs; Sandy, Hannah, Lord Stanley, Sadie Jane, Allison, and most recently, Rexton. They all played an important part of his everyday life.
PAY IT FORWARD was Joe’s credo…. BE RESPECTFUL, THANK A VETERAN FOR THEIR SERVICE, PET A DOG!
His funeral will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 from the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond Street Worcester with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by his cousin, Rev. Donald Ouellette at 11 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main Street Worcester. Burial with military honors will immediately follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 5 from 4 to 7 PM in the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Joe may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter 111 Young Road PO Box 136 East Brookfield, MA 01515.
To share a memory or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.Royfuneral.com
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Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home
12 Hammond St.
Worcester, MA 01610 508-799-2992
