Salem, Robert A. Theriault age 84, died Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Salem Hospital after a brief illness. Bob was born July 6, 1925 in Salem, MA, son of the late Auguste and Emma (Gagne) Theriault. He was the husband of Theresa (Labrecque) from 1947 until her death in 1970 and was married to his second wife Marguerite (Marshall) from 1972 until her death in 1989.
Bob attended St. Joseph’s Academy and Peterson School of Engineering. He retired as power plant Chief Engineer for Boston Gas after 39 years of service and was a member of the American Institute of Plant Engineers. A veteran of W.W. II, he served in the US Navy as a Machinist Mate Second Class aboard the USS Chara (AKA-58) in the Pacific Theater, for which he received many naval medals.
Bob was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was also an incurable romantic who enjoyed dancing, gardening, carpentry and especially loved spending time with his family and long time friend Helen Kyslowsky. He was a member of the Danvers Fish and Game Club, Vittori-Rocci Post 56, Alhambra #113, VFW Post 1524, American Legion Post 0462. Bob was a past hunter safety instructor and received an Honor Life Saving Award for rescuing three young boys from drowning. A religious man, he was past president of the Ste. Anne Holy Name Society.
He is survived by his three children, Ann Marie Campanella and her husband Bart, Dennis Theriault and his wife Dolly, Claire Theriault-Perkins and her husband Chris Perkins, a grandson Michael Theriault and his wife Erica and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Bill Theriault and his wife Jane, and 4 sisters, Rita Berube, Leonne Provencher, Anita Shalit, Lucille DeRubio and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his beloved wife Theresa and second wife Marguerite, he was predeceased by a grandson David Rossi.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St., [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem, MA on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 9 a.m. to be followed by his funeral mass in Ste. Anne Church, Jefferson Ave., Salem at 10 a.m. Visiting hours: Wednesday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vitorri-Rocci Post 56, Veterans Aid Fund, 143 Brimbal Ave., Beverly, MA 01915. For guestbook and additional information, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com