Lionel J. Despres

1927 - 2007  (79 years)

• Name	Lionel J. Despres
  Birth	26 Nov 1927	Sprague, NEW LONDON, Connecticut
  Gender	Male
  Death	22 Sep 2007  [1]
  Person ID	I73342784	King/Roy
  Last Modified	14 Aug 2024

  
  

  Father	Roland Despres
  Mother	Albina
  Family ID	F24683	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	+ 1. Barbara A. Despres,   b. 8 Oct 1953, Willimantic, WINDHAM, Connecticut d. 21 Jun 2010, Hartford, HARTFORD, Connecticut (Age 56 years)   2. Living   3. Living
  Family ID	F6650	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	14 Aug 2024

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 26 Nov 1927 - Sprague, NEW LONDON, Connecticut  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  Died: Son of Roland and Albina (Deschamps) Despres He enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1945. He dedicated 31 years of his life to the Navy as a Fire Control Technician. He served on surface ships and also as a Fire Control Training Instructor for part of his Naval service, however most of his Naval career was spent on submarines until he retired in 1984 as Master Chief E-9, the highest rank an enlisted man can attain. He earned many awards and commendations throughout his Naval career. Inscription FTCM US Navy WWII Korea Vietnam

  
  

• Sources

  [S5] Obituary. LIONEL DESPRES OBITUARY Master Chief Lionel J. Despres November 26, 1927 - September 22, 2007 SPRAGUE - Master Chief Lionel J. Despres, U.S. Navy, Rtd, 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 22, 2007 after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. He was born on November 26, 1927 in Sprague, son of the late Albina and Roland Despres. He was united in marriage to Gladys (Gamache) Despres on January 20, 1951. He attended school at St. Joseph School in Baltic and then NFA. He enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1945. He dedicated 31 years of his life to the Navy as a Fire Control Technician. He served on surface ships and also as a Fire Control Training Instructor for part of his Naval service, however most of his Naval career was spent on submarines until he retired in 1984 as Master Chief E-9, the highest rank an enlisted man can attain. He earned many awards and commendations throughout his Naval career. Lionel was a member of the Board of Directors for the Sprague Rod & Gun Club for two years, where he spent some of his time target-shooting with his daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law. He was an avid golfer and bowler. He was a member of the Wednesday Morning Mixed bowling league. In addition to his wife of 56 years, Gladys Despres, he will be sadly missed by his two daughters Barbara Baker, Deborah Deschamps-Baker and her husband Warren Baker, his son Wayne Despres, his grandchildren, Michael Baker, Thomas Baker, Angel Baker, Sashi Augusta Kennedy, Ashley Despres, his great grandchildren, Michael Baker, Brandon Baker, Katerine Baker, Natalie Claire Vass, Audrey Michelle Gentry. He is also survived by his three sisters, Rolande Filburn, Cecile Shaurette, Anita Raymond, his sisters-in-law, Joyce Despres, Alice Gamache, Theresa White, his brothers-in-law, Robert Gamache, Rand White and his uncle, Paul Deschamps. He will also be missed by his dear friends and all of those lives he touched. His life was dedicated to helping all those he knew. To his family, he was a wonderful husband, daddy and Pepere, a hero to look up to, a man to be proud of, the one who fix anything(whether it was a broken fixture or a broken heart). To all those who knew him, he was specialÉ. a man amoung men. And now, he walks with the angels. God bless you, Pepere. We will be together soon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, September 26th at St. Mary's Church, West Main St., Baltic. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Baltic. There are no calling hours. The Cummings - Gagne Funeral Home Norwich, CT has been entrusted with Lionel's arrangements. Published by Norwich Bulletin on Sep. 25, 2007.