Leo G. Yelle, Sr., 101
Dateline: Norton, MA
Leo G. Yelle, Sr., 101, a lifelong resident of Norton died on Friday February 8, 2008 at the home of his daughter in Mansfield. He was the beloved husband of the late Ruth M. (Courtney) Yelle who passed away on August 23, 1989. Mr. and Mrs. Yelle were wed on November 27, 1930.
Born in Norton, MA on May 10, 1906 he was a son of the late Wilfrid J. and Eveline M. (Bourdeau) Yelle.
He grew up in Norton, was educated in Norton public schools and was a 1923 graduate of Norton High School. He later went on to graduate from the former Franklin Trade School in Boston. Mr. Yelle was a retired Master Plumber and had been employed for the former Russell Myers & Sons Plumbing Co in Taunton for over 40 years prior to retiring.
A communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton he was also a former lector at St. Mary’s Church. Active in Norton affairs and service organizations, Leo was a member of the Finance Committee and was a charter member of both the Conservation Commission and the Norton Lions Club. Early on he had served as president of the District Nurses Association.
Mr. Yelle was a great supporter of the Boy Scouts of America Anawan Council, served as a former Scoutmaster of Troop 12 in the Chartley section of Norton, was a recipient of the Silver Beaver award, the James West award and the St. George medal.
An outdoors enthusiast, Leo had previously led canoe trips in Maine, Vermont, Minnesota and Nova Scotia and was also an avid tennis player.
At the time of his death, he was the present holder of the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest living Norton resident.
He is survived by his devoted children; Leo G. Yelle, Jr. and his wife Jean of Rochester, New Hampshire, Shirley L. Macphee of Mansfield, Cmdr USN, Ret. A. Courtney Yelle and his wife Eloise of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Paula R. Bishop and her husband William of Plainville, Peter H. Yelle and his wife Theresa of Belmont, New Hampshire and John F. Yelle of Norton, He was the dear brother of Marie Lemieux of Norton and the late Angeline Guevremont, Benedict Yelle, Corinne Bottomley, Donat Yelle, Marguerite Chamberlain, Rita Gadway, Wilfrid Yelle, Jr., Francis Yelle, Henri Yelle, Adrian Yelle and Joseph Yelle, also survived by his cherished 27 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the loving great grandfather of the late Kyle “Punkin” Bishop.
His funeral, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Tuesday February 12th at 9:00 A.M. from the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St.,(Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.), Norton followed by a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, South Worcester St., Norton. Private burial will be held at a later date in the Norton Center Cemetery, Norton.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday February 11th from 4-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Leo’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund P.O. Box 430 Norton, MA
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com