BIDDEFORD — Joseph R. Brochu, 91, of Biddeford, died peacefully surrounded by his wife and five children on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018 at his home.

He was born Oct. 16, 1926 in Biddeford a son of Esdras and Clementine (Petrin) Brochu and was educated in local schools.

Joseph served in the U.S. Army as an anti-tank gunner during World War II. On Aug. 30, 1947 he married the love of his life Therese L. Charrette in St. Joseph Church.

He worked for 26 years with Pepperell Mfg. Co. and 12 years at the Saco Tannery; he retired from George Newman Co. in Biddeford in 1990 after eight years there.

He was a devoted husband and father who shared his love of cards with his family and friends.

Preceding him in death were a brother, Robert Brochu and his wife Rita; two sisters: Yvonne Drouin and her husband Leo Paul and Lucienne Bergeron, also a grandson Keith Alan Johnston who died in 1972.

Joseph is survived by Therese Brochu, his wife of 70 years, of Biddeford; a son Roger R. Brochu and his wife Glenda of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four daughters Joanne Johnston and her husband Bruce of Lyman; Cecile Coffin and her husband Samuel of Englewood, Florida; Lorraine Reggep of Biddeford, and Michelle Grattelo and her husband Michael of Biddeford; brother-in-law, Roland Bergeron of North Berwick; sister-in-law Fernande Wimble and her husband Richard of Enfield, Coneecticut; eight grandchildren Chad Johnston and wife Donna, James Johnston and wife Maeghan, Stacy Allen and husband Jonathan, Sarah Hadley and husband Michael, Corinne Gallagher and husband Jacob, Mindy Smith and husband James, Anthony Grattelo and wife Bailey, Cory Grattelo; also a step-grandson Robert Powell; 11 great grandchildren: Katelyn and Keegan Johnston, Jillian, Nathan and Josephine Allen, Kyle Lagasse, Ashton Crowell, Kadynne and Domenick Smith, Kallie and Henley Grattelo; also step-great grandchildren: Rebecca Powell, Dillon, Shaelyn and Finley Gallagher, Joshua and Kelsey Hadley.

Visiting Hours will be 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 at Hope Memorial Chapel 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday at St Joseph Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.

The family extends a special thanks to Shannon, Cindy, Katana, and Kathleen of Hospice of Southern Maine and to Dr. Steven Cutone and his nurse Julie for their professional care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joseph may be made to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Copy the Story Link