Joseph E. "Eddie" Thibeault, 87, of Providence, formerly of New Bedford died Tuesday July 29, 2003 unexpectedly at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence. He was the husband of the late Annette (Guilbert) Thibeault.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Jean B.A. and Sylvia (Clermont) Thibeault, he had lived in New Bedford before moving to Providence 5 years ago to live with his son.
He was a former communicant of St. Anne's Church in New Bedford, where he had served as the church sexton.
Mr. Thibeault was the proprietor of Thibeault's Television Service. He had also been employed as a heavy equipment operator with the City of New Bedford Department of Public Works for 20 years.
Mr. Thibeault served in the U.S. Army during World War II,with the 32nd Division in the Southwest Pacific and made several beach landings in New Guinea. He was a recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign ribbon, the American Defense Service medal and the Good Conduct medal. He was a Past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 and a Past President of the Greater New Bedford War Council. He was also involved with area scouting and managed the New Bedford Independents in the Ben Rose Softball League. He was a member of the Radio and Television Technicians Guild and the Electronic Technicians Guild.
Survivors include a son, Andre E. Thibeault, and his wife Judy, of Providence; 3 grandsons, Andre J. Thibeault, Thomas Thibeault, and Nicholas Thibeault, all of Providence; a sister, Marguerite Durand of Dunnellon, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.He was the brother of the late Jean B. Thibeault, J. Paul Thibeault, Gertrude Thibeault, Elizabeth Souza and Veronique Paczosa.
His Funeral will be held on Saturday August 2, 2003 at 8:45 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at 9:45 AM in St. Anne's Church, Brock Avenue, New Bedford. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Friday August 1, 2003 from 4-8 PM.