Joseph Arthur Dube Jr. passed away peacefully after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 79 at Bedford Hills Center in Bedford, NH, on Jan. 31, 2015.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Claudette, the love of his life. He is also survived by his daughter Kim Nolan and her husband John, a son Joseph A. Dube III and his wife Anna, and five grandchildren: Greg Nolan and his wife Molly; Kelly Janco and her husband Stephen; Katie Dube; and Steven and Andrea Dube. He also leaves behind six great-grandchildren: Ryan, Kate, Mia, Ashley, Logan and Cohen.

In addition, he is also survived by two brothers and their wives, David Dube and his wife Lillian, Raymond Dube and his wife Suzanne, and Jackie Dube, wife of deceased brother, Paul, who passed away in 2013, all of Topsham, Maine. He was predeceased by his brother Maurice and a sister, Margaret in his early childhood years. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Robert Renaud and his wife Susan as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joe was born on May 23, 1935, in Brunswick, Maine. He was the son of the late Delia and Joseph A. Dube Sr. He attended local Catholic schools and joined the Marine Corps in 1952 where he became a sergeant serving his country until 1956 when he married his sweetheart, Claudette Renaud, also from Brunswick.

After starting their family, he worked for a brief time at Thibeault’s Trucking Company as a driver. In 1962, he moved his family to Nashua after accepting a job at Valley Auto Parts where he worked for many years until he started his own business, J & J Auto Supply, providing parts and services to local gas stations and private businesses throughout the region. Joe and Claudette then moved to Hollis in 1973, where Joe built his own home and where they happily resided for more than 42 years.

In his spare time, Joe did much of the snow plowing for various establishments as well as many private residences. He loved helping others and always took pride in his work. After his “retirement,” he took a job as a school custodian for the City of Nashua where he worked for ten more years. He received several awards and commendations for his work at various schools including “Custodian of the Year” from the city for his dedication, commitment, and high standard of service.

In addition to caring for his family and the responsibilities of his work, he was a member of and served as Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge in Nashua where he volunteered his time developing and facilitating various youth programs for area children. He was also an active participant of the Parish of the Resurrection where for many years he passed the basket at each Saturday afternoon mass along with working in the kitchen preparing food for the weekly bingo games.

Joe was dedicated and loving husband, a devoted father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, uncle, and brother always putting his family first. He will always be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all who had the pleasure and privilege to know him. Many thanks to the dedicated health care providers and professionals at both The Arbors of Bedford and Bedford Hills Center who treated him with compassion and dignity throughout his stay with them. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.