G. Joseph Choquette, 80
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Gerard Joseph "Joe" Choquette, 80, of 39 Inga Ave. died Friday, April 18, 2003, at his home.
Born in North Adams on March 30, 1923, son of Romuald J. and Regina A. Langlois Choquette, he attended North Adams schools, including the former Notre Dame Parochial School.
Following his graduation, Mr. Choquette joined his father in R.J. Choquette Construction in North Adams until the outbreak of World War II.
He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on Dec. 1, 1942, and attended Air Forces Cadet School for pilot training and four other training schools. He also attended Montana State University while serving in the Air Forces. He served as a crew chief and crew chief engineer on B-17 Flying Fortresses and was an engine specialist on B-29 Superfortresses. He served as a corporal with the 245th Army Air Force Base Unit until his honorable discharge on June 6, 1946.
Mr. Choquette rejoined his father in his construction business until his father retired in 1953. He continued the business until 1962. He then joined the Williams College buildings and grounds crew and served as a carpenter foreman until 1966, when he joined the faculty of Charles H. McCann Technical School in North Adams. He taught carpentry at McCann until his retirement in 1986.
Following his retirement, Mr. Choquette was self-employed in home building and remodeling. He was a lifelong gardener and maintained his woodworking hobby all of his life. He was a communicant of St. Francis' Church and a member of the Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion of North Adams and a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Teachers Association.
He leaves his wife, the former Inga Evelyn Nielsen, whom he married March 13, 1948, in North Adams; three daughters, Christine St. Pierre of Williamstown, Cathleen Hines of Marblehead and Colleen Choquette of Mamaroneck, N.Y.; seven sons, Michael Choquette of Santa Barbara, Calif., David Choquette of Stamford, Vt., Paul Choquette of Pittsfield, Mark Choquette of North Adams, Joel Choquette of Bedford, Peter Choquette of Clarksburg and Daniel Choquette of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; a sister, Bernadette Ross of East Longmeadow; 13 grandchildren, Christopher, Jamie, Carrie, Jennifer, Josh, Erik, Kirk and Leah Choquette, Lynn Taylor, Michael St. Pierre, Christine Wilk, Scott and Kelly Hines; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Samuel Taylor.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Madeleine Ouellette Gravel and Roma Choquette; and two brothers, Elie and Antoine Choquette.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services will take place Monday, April 21, at 1 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1:30 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 611 State Road, North Adams. Burial will take place in the family plot at Southview Cemetery, North Adams, at a later date.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday from 11 to 1. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Little Sioux St. Francis Indian Mission, Disabled American Veterans or Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247, which is in charge of arrangements.