DURHAM, Conn. — Giles D’Orvilliers, 88, passed away peacefully on Nov. 9, 2017, joining his beloved wife Alma Sevigny D’Orvilliers with whom he shared over 55 years of marriage, until she passed away in 2006.

Giles was born on May 13, 1929 in Sanford, Maine, the first-born son of Joseph O. and Lillian Drouin D’Orvilliers.

He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1947 and worked in Sanford and Massachusetts before joining the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Nuclear Engine Laboratory Project (CANEL) in Middletown, Connecticut. He then worked for Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford for 27 years until his retirement in 1986. After recovering from a broken neck in 1987, he began a new career at Bernie Fields Jewelry Store.

Giles is proudly survived by a son Roland, and his wife, Joan of Milltown, New Jersey; a daughter Anne, of Hartford, Connecticut, and son Marc and his wife Susan of Middlefield, Connecticut as well as many friends and relatives in Connecticut and Maine. Alma and Giles were blessed with seven grandchildren, Daniel and his wife, Megan of Florida, Michael and Amanda of New York, Eric and hiLara of Washington State, Thomas, Mary and Katherine of Middlefield, Connecticut and great-granddaughters, Laine and Libby of Florida. 

Giles was especially proud of the fact that he earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1946 and his grandson Thomas earned the same award in 2011.

Giles was predeceased by his wife Alma, his parents, his brother Lawrence, and infant grandson Nicholas D’Orvilliers. Giles has been a parishioner of Notre Dame Church in Durham since 1960.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame Church. Burial will be in the family plot in Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Xavier and Mercy High School.

To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.

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