Obituary for Joseph Beaudry Jr.
Joseph E. Beaudry Jr, of Vernon CT., passed away on September 23rd, 2019, with his family by his side. Just how he would have wanted it.
Joe's story began on April 21st, 1952, in the small town of Stafford Springs CT. He was born the eldest of four children to Joseph Sr. and Helen Beaudry. "Joey" as he was called in his youth, shared the family home with his Gram, Brother Buddy and two Sisters Lori and Sandy. Times were tough, and water came from a well in the front yard, however Joe often shared many a memory of his early years.
There was the rooster who would chase him home every day from the bus stop. The family donkey who was the mighty steed to his army. None of these stories ever seemed to turn out favorably for his little brother.
His favorite stories to share always included the time he spent with his Meme and Pepe. His grand father, who was a local celebrity, ran the best auction house in Windham County. Jim "The Swapper" as he was known, instilled Joe with the love of a good deal and more importantly anything could be worth money someday.
At the Start of the 1970's Joe met an adventurous and beautiful girl from the next town over. In 1972 Joe and Jo-Ann West were married in a small church on the Tolland Green. Him wearing a tux and her in the dress her mother made. Both of them just kids. Joe and Jo-Ann would remain married for almost 40 years, until the day she lost her battle to cancer. From that day onward, Joe's heart was never the same.
In November 1972, a month after his wedding vows, Joe reported for duty with The United States Army. He proudly served for 7 years and was honorably discharged from the 25th Signal Battalion with the rank of Sergeant. During those years, the newlywed couple traveled across the US. Living in Colorado, Georgia and North Carolina, before finally returning to Connecticut. Joe spent a year stationed in South Korea, which must have seemed like a different world from his beginnings in Stafford, CT.
Life was all fun and games until the children were born. In 1975, they welcomed a son named Joseph into this world. Three short years later, their daughter AprilLin was born. Right from the start she was the favorite and remained so right up to the end. As the years progressed, his family grew to include a Daughter in Law Patricia and a Son in Law Tim. Both of them added a little something extra to his life.
Finally in 2008, Joe and Jo-Ann made the transition from Mom and Dad to Granny and Pepe. They welcomed their first grandchild, and wouldn't you know it, his name was also Joseph. Both of them were so proud, neither one stopped smiling. On the day he was scheduled to come home from the hospital for the first time, they both waited at the top of the driveway, almost 2 hours early, just to be the first ones to welcome him home.
A few years later along came a second grandson named Mario, who is charming as the day is long. Two beautiful granddaughters, Gabriella and Olivia. Both of them as full of life as their Granny. All of them loved their Pepe.
Joe was a man of little words. He expressed himself through his art. There was not a piece of paper in the house which did not contain an imprint of his drawing skills. He would turn everyday materials into amazing crafts and simple planks of wood into landscape paintings.
He loved playing horseshoes, his dog Spike and watching old westerns on the TV. He left behind a hell of a lot of stuff, and who knows, it might just be worth something someday.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.
Joe's story began on April 21st, 1952, in the small town of Stafford Springs CT. He was born the eldest of four children to Joseph Sr. and Helen Beaudry. "Joey" as he was called in his youth, shared the family home with his Gram, Brother Buddy and two Sisters Lori and Sandy. Times were tough, and water came from a well in the front yard, however Joe often shared many a memory of his early years.
There was the rooster who would chase him home every day from the bus stop. The family donkey who was the mighty steed to his army. None of these stories ever seemed to turn out favorably for his little brother.
His favorite stories to share always included the time he spent with his Meme and Pepe. His grand father, who was a local celebrity, ran the best auction house in Windham County. Jim "The Swapper" as he was known, instilled Joe with the love of a good deal and more importantly anything could be worth money someday.
At the Start of the 1970's Joe met an adventurous and beautiful girl from the next town over. In 1972 Joe and Jo-Ann West were married in a small church on the Tolland Green. Him wearing a tux and her in the dress her mother made. Both of them just kids. Joe and Jo-Ann would remain married for almost 40 years, until the day she lost her battle to cancer. From that day onward, Joe's heart was never the same.
In November 1972, a month after his wedding vows, Joe reported for duty with The United States Army. He proudly served for 7 years and was honorably discharged from the 25th Signal Battalion with the rank of Sergeant. During those years, the newlywed couple traveled across the US. Living in Colorado, Georgia and North Carolina, before finally returning to Connecticut. Joe spent a year stationed in South Korea, which must have seemed like a different world from his beginnings in Stafford, CT.
Life was all fun and games until the children were born. In 1975, they welcomed a son named Joseph into this world. Three short years later, their daughter AprilLin was born. Right from the start she was the favorite and remained so right up to the end. As the years progressed, his family grew to include a Daughter in Law Patricia and a Son in Law Tim. Both of them added a little something extra to his life.
Finally in 2008, Joe and Jo-Ann made the transition from Mom and Dad to Granny and Pepe. They welcomed their first grandchild, and wouldn't you know it, his name was also Joseph. Both of them were so proud, neither one stopped smiling. On the day he was scheduled to come home from the hospital for the first time, they both waited at the top of the driveway, almost 2 hours early, just to be the first ones to welcome him home.
A few years later along came a second grandson named Mario, who is charming as the day is long. Two beautiful granddaughters, Gabriella and Olivia. Both of them as full of life as their Granny. All of them loved their Pepe.
Joe was a man of little words. He expressed himself through his art. There was not a piece of paper in the house which did not contain an imprint of his drawing skills. He would turn everyday materials into amazing crafts and simple planks of wood into landscape paintings.
He loved playing horseshoes, his dog Spike and watching old westerns on the TV. He left behind a hell of a lot of stuff, and who knows, it might just be worth something someday.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.