Christmas 2008 Jerry with Grandchildren (minus two)

christmas_2008_JerryGrandchildren-two, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Almost all of Jerry's clan gathered to celebrate Christmas this year.

Just the Chicago contingent were missing so eleven of his thirteen grandchildren were able to participate.

We missed you Chicago folks!

Pepe Meme Joyal - 8/24/1968

Pepe_Meme_Joyal_19680824, originally uploaded by shersteve.

One of the recent "finds" from clearing out my study to repaint it.

According to the note, this is from my Aunt Colette's wedding in 1968. Uncle Norm passed away last year.

Leora A. Sherlock

Leora A. Sherlock
SHERLOCK, LEORA A., 88, of Robert St., Pawtucket died, Saturday, December 13, 2008 at Rhode Island Hospital. She was the wife of John F. Sherlock, Jr. They had been married 62 years. Mrs. Sherlock was born in Valley Falls, the daughter of the late Percy Delos and Margaret Jane (Crawford) Balkcom. She had lived most of her life in Pawtucket. Besides her husband Mrs. Sherlock is survived by her children, John F. Sherlock, III of McLean VA, Lauren A. Petrucelli of Duxbury MA, Matthew P. Sherlock of Seekonk MA, Mark P. Sherlock of Pawtucket, Moira Walker and Lisa M. Roberts of Swansea, MA, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Leora A. Costa. Mrs. Sherlock was a graduate of Cumberland High School and the Rhode Island College of Education. She taught in Cumberland before her marriage. She was a member of the Veridames of Providence College, the St. Joseph's Mother's Club and the Mercy Mount Mother's Club. Mrs. Sherlock enjoyed golfing, painting, and traveling. Her funeral will be Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. from the MANNING-HEFFERN FUNERAL HOME, 68 Broadway, Pawtucket, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's Church, Coyle Drive, Seekonk at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary's Cemetery, Pawtucket. Relatives and friends are invited. The calling hours for Mrs. Sherlock will be Tuesday 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home. For directions and guest book signatures, please visit manningheffern.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leora Costa Scholarship Fund, 593 Eddy St, Providence RI 02903.

Originally posted online at the Providence Journal (Projo) website.

Joyal brunch 12/6/08

Joyal brunch 12/6/08, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The Joyal's gather once a month for brunch. This was held at Wright's Farm in RI and moved up to Saturday instead of the normal Sunday to avoid the snow.

Good food, served piping hot, and good conversation. A great place for family style dining.

A tailgate party was held briefly after with a variety of candy and nuts that some of the "big kids" has stopped in Woonsocket to purchase before heading to the brunch.

Rita, Steve, Jerry: May 1976

One of the side benefits of clearing the bookshelf to paint the study is the opportunity to discover some envelopes of pictures that had previously just been collecting dust, almost forgotten.

Well, now a few of these pictures can see the light of day.

Oh, my! Yes, that is I in the center with Mom to my right (your left) and Dad to my left (your right).

Mother had one wish for my graduation. She wished that the beard that I had grown for the production of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part I that we did on campus, and the beard that I subsequently grew quite fond of, would be shaved off for graduation.

Mother did get her wish.

I grew it back shortly after and it has been part of me ever since. Even my wife and kids have only seen pictures like this of the before-beard days. And now you can say that you have also!

Did you ever do something like this for your mother, father or someone special?
Was it a one time thing or something that lasted?

Directions to Reception after Mass

Go North on RT 104 from St Michael's to RT 116 (about 2 miles)
Follow RT 116 to end at RT 122 (about 8 miles)
Turn right, heading south on RT 122 until Broad St, bear left (about 2 miles)
- Note if you see Ann & Hope, you missed the turn

Follow Broad St to RT 123, turn left heading East (about 0.8 miles)
Follow RT 123 to reservoir and take immediate right
- Note if you go up the hill to the "Welcome to MA" sign you missed the turn

This is Colwell St in Cumberland which turns into Mendon Rd in Attleboro.
About 1 mile down the road on the left you'll see a brick and iron work fence around an entrance to the SandCastle Adult Community.

Turn left and bear to the left to arrive directly at the hall. Yes, the building looks like a "castle".

25th Memorial Mass for Rita Sherlock

From the South

Take I-95 North to I-295 North

Take exit 7A for US-44 E

Merge onto Putnam Pike/US-44 -> 0.1 mi

Turn left at Esmond St -> 0.8 mi

Turn left at RI-104/Waterman Ave

Continue to follow RI-104

Destination will be on the left -> 0.8 mi

St Michael's Church

80 Farnum Pike

Smithfield, RI 02917

8:00 AM - Sunday November 30, 2008

From the North

• Take I-295 South


• Take exit 8B for State Hwy 7 North -> 0.4 mi


• Merge onto Douglas Pike/Douglas Turnpike/RI-7 -> 0.5 mi


• Turn left at RI-116/Route 116 -> 1.2 mi


• Turn left at Farnum Pike/RI-104/RI-116/RI-5


• Continue to follow Farnum Pike/RI-104


• Destination will be on the right -> 2.0 mi

St Michael's Church
80 Farnum Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917

8:00 AM - Sunday November 30, 2008

Mark, Bob, and Mike listen to Jerry

Mark, Bob, and Mike listen to Jerry, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Last December, my brothers and I took our father, Jerry down to Washington to visit the WWII Memorial and the new Marine Corp Museum at Quantico.

Here Dad is teling part of his story while my brothers Bob, Mike and Mike's son Mark, listen.

If there is veteran in your family, thank them for their service.

If you see a veteran today, thank them for their service.

Anita Louise (Proulx) Joyal

ATTLEBORO - Anita Louise (Proulx) Joyal, 65, of South Main Street, Attleboro, died on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at her residence surrounded by the love and support of her devoted family. As she passed into eternal rest, a rainbow graced the sky, providing comfort and support to her family knowing she had arrived safely in Heaven. She was the wife of Jean Henri Joyal, to whom she was married on Sept. 28, 1963.

Born in Attleboro on Oct. 13, 1942, she was a daughter of the late Leopold and Aurore (Guerin) Proulx. She was raised and educated in her native city, where she was a 1960 graduate of Attleboro High School.

Mrs. Joyal was a woman of strong faith and courage through her illness of almost three years. She was a communicant of St. Stephen's Church in her Dodgeville neighborhood of Attleboro.

Prior to her retirement in 2006, she was employed by the City of Attleboro as an administrative clerk for three years for the city water department and had also worked for seven years in the city collector's office.

A lifelong Attleboro resident, Mrs. Joyal was a devoted and dedicated wife, mother and, in recent years, grandmother.

She served as the former president of the Women's Auxiliary of the St. John Council of the Knights of Columbus in Attleboro and was a member of the Attleboro Foundation Dispersing Committee.

Her favorite pastimes included sewing, quilting and traveling with a special love for visiting Disney World in Florida, where she visited more than 20 times and had planned to travel again next week with her cherished family.

In addition to her husband of 44 years, she leaves five children: Jacqueline M. O'Brien of Attleboro, Jean A. Joyal of Plainville, Peter D. Joyal of Rehoboth, Christopher J. Joyal of Attleboro and Suzanne Candelet of Attleboro Falls; nine grandchildren; three sisters: Jeanne M. Fredette of Norton, Pauline Weber of Attleboro and Laurette McAfee of North Attleboro; two brothers, J. Gerard Proulx of Attleboro and Ronald Proulx of Lakeland, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and members of the Joyal family.

She was the grandmother of the late Karleigh Joyal, who died in 2000, and was the sister of the late Paul L. Proulx.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, Aug. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave. (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, funeral home 3/4 mile on the left), Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.

Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at 508-695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service on Monday, Aug. 18 at 8:45 a.m. from the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave. (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, funeral home 3/4 mile on the left), Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen's Church, 683 South Main St. (Route 152), Attleboro, with the Rev. James Morse, pastor, officiating.

Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Attleboro.

Following services, an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced.

A children's room will be available during visitation and while the funeral cortege is lined up.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sturdy Memorial Foundation, Inc., Attention: Oncology Department, P.O. Box 2963, Attleboro, MA 02703; CVNA Hospice Care, 10 Emory St., Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the charity of one's desire.

To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online register book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, 508-695-0200.

-----------

Originally posted in the Attleboro Sun Chronicle

What rain?

Joyal_WhatRain, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Carolyn, who's hand is that?

Joyal_80802 044, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Joyal_Colette_Clan

Joyal_Collette_Clan, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Colette's Clan at the Joyal Family reunion.

Joyal_Pauline_Clan

Joyal_Pauline_Clan, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Pauline's clan had a good representation today for the Joyal Family reunion.

Joyal_Rita_Clan

Joyal_Rita_Clan, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The Sherlock's were well represented at the Joyal Family Reunion held today.

The Game

Meserve_TheGame, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Can there be a wedding reception without a serious game of cribbage for the World Championship and Central Falls too?

Jerry & Steve

Meserve_PapaSteve, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Jerry and Steve

Proud Papa

Meserve_ProudPapa, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Jerry posed with his grandchildren

Steve & Rosemary

Meserve_SteveRosemary, originally uploaded by shersteve.

the groom and bride happily pledged their unconditional love

The Chapel

Meserve_TheChapel, originally uploaded by shersteve.

was right out of a story book

Jerry and Allie

Jerry and Allie, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Jerry attended Allie's graduation from Assumption College on May 17th.

In Memorium - Rodolphe P. “Rudy” Bruneau

Catching up to the passing of Uncle Rudy. Rudy was married to Mariette, one of my mother's sisters.
--------------------------

Rodolphe P. “Rudy” Bruneau, 79

ATTLEBORO — Rodolphe P. “Rudy” Bruneau, 79, of Mendon Road, Attleboro, died on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Attleboro. He was the husband of Mariette (Joyal) Bruneau, to whom he had been married for 54 years.

Born in Pawtucket, a son of the late Rodolphe O. and Alice (Mandeville) Bruneau, he had been a resident of South Attleboro for 44 years.

He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Seekonk.

During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard.
He was an avid golfer.

He was past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 5876. He was past president of the Sandcastle Association.

Prior to retirement, he had been employed as a school teacher in the Attleboro school system for 33 years.

He had served as president of the Attleboro Teachers Association. He was a member of the board of directors of the Bristol County Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. He was a past president of the Municipal Employees Credit Union.

Besides his beloved wife, he leaves his loving family, daughters Ann and her husband Michael McGahern of South Attleboro, and Michelle and her husband Joseph Brissette of Rumford, R.I., and six grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Albert Bruneau.

His funeral will be held Monday, March 24 at 9 a.m. from the Darlington Mortuary of L. Heroux & Son, 1042 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Coyle Drive, Seekonk.

Calling hours in the funeral home will be on Sunday, March 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Burial will be in the Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amos House, 415 Friendly St., P.O. Box 72873, Providence, R.I. 02907.

As posted in the Attleboro Sun Chronicle

Pawtucket Library - M Francis Campbell Auditorium

Pawtucket Library - M Francis Campbell Auditorium, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The ceremony to dedicate the auditorium at the Pawtucket Public Library in honor of M Francis (Fran) Campbell was held Sunday afternoon (3/30/08).

This placque on the wall in the auditorium was covered and supposed to remain covered during the speeches. The covering "fell" off mysteriously as Fr. St Goddard and Mayor James E Doyle talked about Fran.

Suspicion was the Fran had something to do with it!

Pawtucket (RI) Library Invite

You may recall that M Francis (Fran) Campbell passed away recently. We received an invitation to the dedication of the auditorium at the Pawtucket Public Library in her name on March 30th.

Joyal Cabin

JoyalCabin, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The cabin on the lake that Jerry talked earlier. We managed to find this image and scan the original from 1954/1955.

goodbye anonymous comments

I have gone back and forth on this issue of anonymity a number of times in my own mind and after reading here, I have decided to remove anonymous comments from the various blogs I control. This change is effective 3/1/08.

This is not turning away conversation.

This is ensuring that the conversation is based in honesty and real identity.

It also helps that Google has enabled additional accounts to be used to comment.

If you have any issues with anonymity, you can email me (as you won't be able to comment) after March 1. Email to shersteve at gmail dot com

Rita and Jerry at Matunick, RI

Rita_Jerry_Matunick, originally uploaded by shersteve.

When Jerry saw this photo, he recognized the location as at the beach house in Matunick, RI. It could have been taken on their honeymoon but he doesn't recall who would have taken the picture.

NewBCamp 2008

Hello World!

This is the announcement for NewBCamp 2008, which is being held from 9:00am - 4:00pm on February 23, 2008 in Providence, RI.

You are invited to use the 'Registration' button to RSVP for the event.

The Details:

• Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 9am to 4pm in Providence, RI
• Xavier Building on the Johnson & Wales campus
  
  259 Pine Street
  Providence, Rhode Island 02903
• After Party at AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence from 5 PM - 7 PM
  

If you're looking to get the flyer for NewBCamp, here's a link to the PDF,

Hurricane 1938 & Bridges

Jerry talks about the 1938 Hurricane being out of school, his sister* and brother loosing cars to the flood during the Hurricane Carol (1954). Bridge safety in Pawtucket with the I95 bridge in for repairs now.

Time: 7 minutes, 19 seconds



MP3 File

* at the Library gathering March 30th, it was confirmed that Helene lost her car. We'll need to capture the rest of the story as the car she got to replace it was a "hurricane car" that wasn't supposed to be sold.

Hurricanes of 1954 & 1938

Jerry talks about the bathroom window coming in during the Hurricane of 1954. And losing the apple tree in the yard of the house on Coyle Ave during the Hurricane of 1938.

Time: 7 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

Blizzard of 1978 - 2

Jerry talks with Steve about the Blizzard of 1978. Steve shares the story of his weekend trip to NYC. Jerry talks about Ted & Mary walking to a PC game.

Time: 4 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

Blizzard of 1978 - 1

Jerry talks with Steve about the Blizzard of 1978. He and Bob Holland took almost 3 hours to drive what normally took 15 minutes. Washburn Wire was shut for the week. Theresa Ouellette's daughter got stranded and stayed for a couple of days. The boys went sledding on I95.

Time: 6 minutes, 17 seconds



MP3 File

Higgins Wedding, plus

Jerry talks with Bob and Steve about going to Eddie Higgins' wedding, with Aya, at Norfolk, VA. Visiting with the Brouillard's along the way.

Time: 4 minutes, 47 seconds

MP3 File

World's Fair, NYC 1964

Jerry talks with Bob and Steve as they remember the family trip to the World's Fair in New York City, 1964. Staying at Aunt Martina's, eating at the Automats, the GE and Ford exhibits amongst the highlights.

Time: 6 minutes, 16 seconds



MP3 File

Closing out the East Matunick story

Jerry continues the story with Bob and Steve, talking about his father loving the beach and his mother hating the beach.

Time: 2 minutes, 2 seconds



MP3 File

East Matunick - Vacation tales

Jerry talks with Bob and Steve about vacation time down at East Matunick, RI.

Time: 6 minutes, 6 seconds



MP3 File

Happy New Year

Thank you for coming here to read and continue the conversation.

Wishing you and yours all the best this year!