OXFORD - Joseph E. “Pete” Forand, Sr., 88, of 23 Wheelock Street, died Friday, December 10, 2010 in his home after an illness, surrounded by his family. His wife of 27 years, Virginia M. “Ginny” (Denham) Forand, died in 1976.
He leaves 3 children, Albert T. Forand and his wife June of Charlton, Charlene A. Jones and Joseph E. Forand, Jr., both of Connecticut; 4 stepchildren, Constance Misale and her husband John of Connecticut, Richard Boneski and his wife Bernadine of Washington State, Louis Boneski and his wife Helen of Halifax, MA, and Joseph Boneski and his wife Carolyn of Louisiana; a brother, Gerard Forand of Webster; 37 grandchildren; many great gandchildren; and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by 2 sons, John and Thomas Forand, and by a stepson, Anthony “Sonny” Boneski.
He was born on December 6, 1922, in Dudley, one of the nine children of Joseph and Marie (Lesser) Forand. He lived in Oxford since his marriage in 1949.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in Normandy, France and the Rhineland.
Mr. Forand was a contractor. He owned J. Forand Construction in Oxford for about 25 years before he retired in 1989. He then worked part-time at St. Germain’s Junk Yard for many years.
He loved fishing, and was a former longtime member of the Little Rhody Boat Club in West Warwick, RI.
A memorial Eucharist will be held on Monday, December 20, at 11:00 AM in the Church of the Reconciliation, 5 North Main Street, Webster. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Donations in his name may be made to the Church of the Reconciliation Memorial Fund, 5 North Main St., Webster, MA 01570. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, MA.