A special thank you to the staff at UMass Health Alliance Hospital and the Highlands for the care they have provided and their ongoing support to the family. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00am on Wednesday, February 17, at Saint Joseph’s Church, 49 Woodland St. in Fitchburg. There are no calling hours. Rene’s son, Rev. James A. Henault will lead the funeral Mass. Brandon Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Avenue, Waltham, MA 02453.
OBITUARY
Fitchburg – Rene A. Henault, 89, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2016.
Rene was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was the only child and predeceased by his mother, Alida (Brown) Henault and his father Alfred Henault. He was also predeceased by his wife, Theresa M. (Boucher) Henault, whom he was married to for 54 years. He is survived by two sons, Michael A. Henault of Portland, Maine and Rev. James A. Henault of Orlando, Florida; a daughter, Elizabeth A. Maki and her husband John; and two grandchildren, Jack and Annika Maki.
Rene completed basic training in the United States Marine Corps in Camp Lejune, NC and was trained in Pharmacy School as a medic. He was transferred to the Navy to use these skills aboard the USS Tranquility while serving in the Navy during WWII. He traveled aboard the USS Tranquility and spent months in the South Pacific before returning back home. After serving in the Navy, Rene worked for Louis Dejohns Coating Mill and then for Weyerhaeuser, which was later bought by James River Corporation. He worked in a variety of positions during his 42 years at Mill #10, eventually retiring as Production Manager. He continued his education by taking Engineering classes at the University of Lowell. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW as well as the St. Joseph’s Club. After retiring, he spent time traveling with family. He was a graduate of Fitchburg High School’s class of 1945. Rene received his diploma many years later, being honored with other veterans who left prior to graduation to serve their country during WWII.
After retiring, he spent many years traveling the country and Europe with his wife and family. His greatest joy came from spending time at his summer vacation spot; highlighted by his many years at Hills Beach Biddeford, Maine where his family enjoyed a summer home. He especially loved every moment he spent with his grandchildren, going to basketball and field hockey games. He was an active Catholic and spent every Sunday afternoon at Mass and socializing with friends. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed any Celtics game he could. He loved attending high school sporting events and was always reading the sports page to get his scores of his favorite teams.