Obituary of Joseph Lefebvre

Joseph E. Lefebvre a man rose from a farm, to Army Ranger, to electrical engineer, passed away on Easter morning, March 31, 2013. He was 80 years old. Joe was born in Enosburg Falls, Vermont, the son of French Canadian immigrants, the late Hervé Lefebvre & Georgiana (Phaneuf). He grew up working on the family’s dairy farm during trying years. Despite being a bright student, Joe dropped out of school to help his family manage their farm. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army. He made the most of all opportunities offered to him during his life. He was an outstanding soldier and finished his GED in the service. He was recruited to be in the first Army Ranger Class in 1950 and graduated in the 1951. He was so good, that the Army asked if he would remain and become a Ranger Training Specialist, which he did until his discharge. Following his discharge, he seized the opportunity to go to college, something he would have never would have been able to accomplish or afford had he remained on the family farm. He graduated from Tri-State University in Indiana with a degree in Electrical Engineering. During his career he worked at RCA in Burlington for 17 years, ITEK in Lexington for 27 years, and spent his last 5 years consulting with Adaptive Optics in Cambridge. Joe’s specialty was optical drivers and he worked on a great variety of projects including the Apollo Spacecraft, submarine periscopes, military observatories, and many other classified projects. Joe had a big heart, humble demeanor, strong work ethic, and a keen mechanical mind. He could fix almost anything in and around a home. He fixed appliances and cars. He did his own electrical work, carpentry, and could build or repair almost anything in his workshop. All his friends and family knew that if they needed a helping hand, Joe was only a phone call away. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping and hiking. Since the 1970’s he had been vacationing in Myrtle Beach. First it was camping with his family, then buying a piece of land and building a home in the 1980’s, and finally splitting his retirement years between Burlington and Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed a good game of tennis with his family and friends. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Myrtle Beach and the American Legion in Shirley, MA. As a Legion member, he participated in parades and as a member of their rifle team, he who often participated in firing details and honor guards for their fallen comrades. Joe was also a man devoted to his family and faith. From the first time he met his future wife, Arlene on a train going to Boston to her passing in July of 2010 he had a complete and unending devotion to her. He was an attentive and caring father and a very proud grandfather. He had a strong Catholic faith and attended daily mass at St. Margaret’s Church. He believed in the power of prayer and was a beacon of faith for his family. Joe was the loving husband of 53 years of the late Arlene E. (Wheeler). He was the loving father of Mark J. & his wife Rita of Hudson, NH, Mary A. Hanafin & her husband John J. of Burlington, Michelle A. Lefebvre of Woburn, Joanne M. DeBruin & her husband Martin C. of Tyngsboro, and Monique T. Lefebvre of Lynn. He was the brother of Armand of Phoenix, AZ, Rene of Seattle, WA, the late Henrietta Nadeau, Hector, Lucien, Arthur, Edward, John & Roland. He was the proud grandfather of Shelby Lefebvre, Brooke & Jordon Hunter, John, Michelle, Theresa, Laura, David, Julie, Annemarie, Joseph & Mary Hanafin, Christiaan, Alanah, Brianne, Jessica & Jared DeBruin, and the late Mark Hanafin. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, April 4 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Shirley. Memorials in Joseph’s name may be made to Catholic Charities of Boston, 51 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210 or www.ccab.org