1925
Richard
2016
Richard R. Desjean
January 8, 1925 — November 24, 2016
The funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster on Monday December 5th at 11 am. A calling hour will be held in the church from 10 to11 am. Burial will be held privately at a later date. Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg is assisting the family with arrangements.In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the HMEA (Horace Mann Educational Associates) Administrative Office, 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038.
OBITUARY Fitchburg – Richard Robert Desjean, 91, of Fitchburg, died Thursday, November 24, 2016 at Health Alliance Leominster Hospital after a short illness. Richard was born in Fitchburg on January 8, 1925, the son of the late William and Ida (Croteau) Desjean and was a lifelong resident. Richard was a US Navy veteran of WWII and served as a Coxswain’s Mate aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Cabot CVL 28 and earned the following medals and citations, The Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star, Commendation Medal from his Commanding Officer, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Stars, American Arena Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Richard survived two Japanese suicide attack planes that struck the Cabot on November 25, 1944. Upon returning from the war he worked for several area companies and on May 2, 1955, he joined the Fitchburg Fire Department. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1978 and retired in September of 1986. Richard was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Lauraine (Cormier) Desjean, who died on November 20, 2006. He leaves four sons, Major James Desjean USAF Retired and his wife Deborah (Anderson) of Converse, TX, Kenneth Desjean and his wife Janice (Vaillancourt) of Fitchburg, Gary Desjean and his wife Elaine (Gagne) of Amelia Courthouse VA, and Michael Desjean of West Boylston; one daughter, Carol Desjean of Fitchburg. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Christine Desjean of Dracut MA, Jill Desjean and husband Gregory Yurasek M.D. of Silver Spring, MD, Ryan Desjean and wife Heather of Converse, TX, David Desjean and wife Jennifer of Richmond, VA, Adam Desjean, Esq., of Somerville MA, Sarah Desjean of Converse, TX, Randy Desjean and wife Carene of Hubbardston MA, and Kevin Desjean and wife Erin of San Antonio, TX; 12 great grandchildren, Andrew, Corey, and Lucas Desjean, Job Knox, Sadie Burgin, Matthew, William, and Charlotte Yurasek, Jack and Mila Desjean, Tyler Desjean, and Emily Babcock; three sisters, Jeanette Desjean, Betty Baldarelli, and Anita Paquette, all of Leominster, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Richard was predeceased by his four brothers, Raymond, Paul, Armand, and Roland Desjean.
OBITUARY Fitchburg – Richard Robert Desjean, 91, of Fitchburg, died Thursday, November 24, 2016 at Health Alliance Leominster Hospital after a short illness. Richard was born in Fitchburg on January 8, 1925, the son of the late William and Ida (Croteau) Desjean and was a lifelong resident. Richard was a US Navy veteran of WWII and served as a Coxswain’s Mate aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Cabot CVL 28 and earned the following medals and citations, The Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star, Commendation Medal from his Commanding Officer, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Stars, American Arena Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Richard survived two Japanese suicide attack planes that struck the Cabot on November 25, 1944. Upon returning from the war he worked for several area companies and on May 2, 1955, he joined the Fitchburg Fire Department. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1978 and retired in September of 1986. Richard was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Lauraine (Cormier) Desjean, who died on November 20, 2006. He leaves four sons, Major James Desjean USAF Retired and his wife Deborah (Anderson) of Converse, TX, Kenneth Desjean and his wife Janice (Vaillancourt) of Fitchburg, Gary Desjean and his wife Elaine (Gagne) of Amelia Courthouse VA, and Michael Desjean of West Boylston; one daughter, Carol Desjean of Fitchburg. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Christine Desjean of Dracut MA, Jill Desjean and husband Gregory Yurasek M.D. of Silver Spring, MD, Ryan Desjean and wife Heather of Converse, TX, David Desjean and wife Jennifer of Richmond, VA, Adam Desjean, Esq., of Somerville MA, Sarah Desjean of Converse, TX, Randy Desjean and wife Carene of Hubbardston MA, and Kevin Desjean and wife Erin of San Antonio, TX; 12 great grandchildren, Andrew, Corey, and Lucas Desjean, Job Knox, Sadie Burgin, Matthew, William, and Charlotte Yurasek, Jack and Mila Desjean, Tyler Desjean, and Emily Babcock; three sisters, Jeanette Desjean, Betty Baldarelli, and Anita Paquette, all of Leominster, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Richard was predeceased by his four brothers, Raymond, Paul, Armand, and Roland Desjean.
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