Donald A. Dextraze, 87, of Woonsocket died peacefully Saturday morning August 17, 2024 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Care Center in Providence. He was the loving husband of Judith M. (Gaucher) Dextraze. They were married on September 12, 1964 at St. Patrick‘s Church in Harrisville.
Born and raised in Woonsocket he was son of the late Donat and Lea (Blanchard) Dextraze. He was a lifelong resident of the city and a graduate of Woonsocket High School with the class of 1955.
Mr. Dextraze served his country as a member of the United States Air Force from June of 1955 to June of 1959. He attained the rank of E-4 and his time in the Air Force included spending a year in Greenland.
Following his service Donald returned to Woonsocket. Mr. Dextraze was employed at Eastern Airlines from June of 1960, the heyday of jet travel, until the time that Eastern ceased operations in June of 1991. Donald worked as a customer service agent and city ticket office manager in Providence for a significant portion of that time. After his time at Eastern Airlines Donald worked for Grinnell Pipe Support Corporation as a machine operation until his retirement.
Mr. Dextraze was a longtime communicant of Holy Trinity Parish at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church and sang with the parish choir.
As a musically talented person Donald shared his gift of instrumental acumen and vocals with others. He was blessed with skill on the base fiddle and trombone, loved to sing and joined in many bands most notably the Hot Water Band. Donald took pride in his French-Canadian Quebecois heritage and could belt out a tune in French with true gusto.
Donald was a proud member of Bill W. for 35 years. He was a longtime member of the Woonsocket Knights of Columbus Council # 113 and the General Moylan 4th Degree Assembly. He was also a member of L’Association Canado-Americane(ACA).
Donald had many hobbies including amassing his vast collection of model cars and trucks, model airplanes and related memorabilia. As a proud veteran he was a supportive member of the United Sates Air Force museum, the WWII museum of the Flight 93 Field of Honor.
Donald was an avid sports fan. His undying allegiance every year was to the Red Sox and Patriots. He had a particular interest in military history and enjoyed watching movies and documentaries related to that aspect of our nation’s history.
Donald will be remembered as a kind and friendly gentleman.
In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years Donald is survived by his two daughters Suzanne and Martha Dextraze both of Woonsocket. He was the brother of Gloria Brissette of Florida and the late Normand Dextraze. He was the brother-in-law of Lucille Dextraze and Barbara Pimental and her husband Sonny. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families.
Everyone is invited to gather to honor, remember and pray for Donald at visiting hours on Friday August 23, 2024 from 8:30-9:30 am, prior to Mass, at Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Holy Trinity Parish/ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church on Park Ave. Woonsocket.
Donald will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery in Bellingham.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis TN 38105 or www.stjude.org or HopeHealth Hospice Center, 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI. 02904 or www.hopehealthco.org
www.menardfuneralhome.com