John "Jack" Boissoneau

Jack’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 20th, 2018 at 11:30 am in St. Leo’s Parish, 128 Main Street, Leominster. Burial will follow in the St. Leo Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday, September 19th from 4 – 7 pm, at Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the Athol Hospital ER Project, ℅ Heywood Healthcare Office of Philanthropy, 242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg MA is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.



 

Fitchburg – John “Jack” Boissoneau, age 77, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on September 15, 2018. He was the son of Robert and Ruth (Hancock) Boissoneau of Leominster. Affectionately referred to as “Mr. B,” Jack led a very fulfilling life. Jack attended Leominster High School and Northeastern University and upon graduation, he entered the National Guard where he proudly served his country for five years. Jack then began a career in life insurance, working for Metropolitan Life for many years. Jack’s love of sports led him to open a sporting goods store in 1972 named, “Leominster World of Sports” which he owned and operated with his brother Larry. Later, in 1994, Jack ironically returned to the YMCA building where he spent many high school hours in the pool. It was there that he opened his own mortgage company, Central Mass Mortgage, with his daughter Kelly. Together, this father/daughter team helped numerous local families fulfill their home ownership dreams, right up until Jack’s retirement in 2005. Among his many athletic accomplishments were the accolades that were bestowed on him for his outstanding swimming career at Leominster High School. Jack swam the butterfly, backstroke and freestyle individual medley well, but he was most gifted in the breaststroke. He was undefeated in the 100 yard breaststroke in 1958 and 1959, winning Massachusetts state titles in both years. He was proud to be named captain of the undefeated 1959 swim team. Jack also played baseball (catcher) from a very young age, where his father Robert Boissoneau coached his teams. He continued his baseball career in high school and was named captain his senior year. His swimming and coaching achievements were ultimately recognized in 2017, when he was inducted into the Leominster High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Jack was an avid fan of all sports. He was a Patriots season ticket holder for many years, and eagerly attended several Super Bowl games. He had a love of horse racing and particularly enjoyed his many trips to Saratoga Springs, NY. On a personal level, Jack fell in love with coaching. “Mr. B” began coaching Lassie League girls’ softball in 1974 and went on to dedicate 20 years of his life to girls’ softball in Leominster. He began his Lassie League career under the guidance of Ruth Piermarini and Grace Celli, who started girls’ softball in Leominster. Eventually, Jack became President of Leominster Lassie League with the goal of providing girls, in the City of Leominster, with the same opportunities that males had been given to achieve athletic excellence in their sport. His softball teams won numerous Massachusetts state titles and traveled to many national tournaments throughout the country, including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Maryland, Tennessee, Indiana, and Texas. Jack was extremely touched to have many of his former players come and visit with him in the last few weeks of his life, many of whom expressed what a profound impact Mr. B had on their lives. Jack’s proudest accomplishment was his family. He particularly enjoyed spending summers together in Old Orchard Beach, Maine where his favorite activities were golf cart rides, parades and swimming in the pool with his grandchildren. Jack and Joanne supported the efforts of their children on any field, court, or life event. They were consistently seen and heard cheering at each and every game in which their children were involved. But…..it didn’t stop there! As their children married and gifted them with grandchildren, Jack and Joanne had yet another opportunity to demonstrate their passion for sports and family. Jack and Joanne have always been the family’s greatest fans at each event. Jack is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joanne (DiGiulio) Boissoneau, four children, Donald and his wife Theresa, Sherri and her wife Lynne, Keith and his wife Shelley, and Kelly Loiselle. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Elise Boissoneau, Lauren Boissoneau, Kara Boissoneau, Victoria Loiselle, Katie Boissoneau, Ryan Loiselle, and Gianna Boissoneau. Additionally, he is survived by his brothers Larry Boissoneau, Richard Boissoneau, and his sister, Beth Ann Kirby; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Athol Memorial Hospital and Hospice Nurse Lisa for the exceptional care and compassion they provided Jack.