Wesley J. Souliere, 97

LEE, Mass. — Wesley J. Souliere, 97, of 620 Laurel Street, Lee, died Sunday, January 29, 2017, surrounded by his loving family and friends at Laurel Lake. 

Born in St. Joseph of Sorel, Quebec, Canada, on May 5, 1919, the son of the late, Sebastion and Mary Mandeville Souliere. He was educated in Springfield Schools and was a 1939 graduate of Cathedral High School. 

Wesley proudly served his country in WWII as a member of the U.S. Army 104th Infantry. He was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant and received numerous medals of honor for his service, including a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. However, on October 22, 2010, he was privileged to receive the French Legion of Honor Medal. 

A custom home builder for more than 35 years, Wesley owned and operated Souliere Construction and Twin Brook Construction of Longmeadow, Mass.

He was a communicant of St. Matthews, St. Patricks and St. Agnes Church. 

Wesley enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an active outdoorsman. He was the past president of the Home Builder's Association of Greater Springfield and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of Dalton. In his earlier years he was very active in the Becket Community; especially the Council on Aging in Becket, and he was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus Columbia Council #411, as a 4th Degree Knight. 

Wesley is survived by his daughter, Dolores M. Adkins and her husband Larry of Sweetwater, Tenn.; three sons, Roland P. Souliere and his wife Glenda of Friendswood, Texas, Armand A. Souliere and his wife Sherry of Holliston, Mass., and Michael J. Souliere and his wife Deborah of Stafford, Conn.; 13 grandchildren; and 15 1/2 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).

He was predeceased by his wife, the former Claire Valois, who died June 29, 2010, whom he proudly cared for, through 15 years of illness; his daughter, Sylvia Nimon, who died in 1985; a son, Roger Souliere, who died in 1990, two sisters; Sylvia Graziano and Dorothy DeChainne; and four brothers.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Wesley J. Souliere of Lee, who died January 29, 2017, will be held Friday, February 3, 2017, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church in Dalton, celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor. Full Military Honors will follow the Liturgy. 

Burial will be in the spring at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Hinsdale. Calling hours will be held Thursday evening, February 2, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St., Dalton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Wesley's memory can be made to the Designated Employee Fund at Kindred Nursing & Rehabilitation in care of the funeral home.