Have faith

My cousin, Peter Joyal, got up to speak at the funeral mass of his father on Monday. I'll paraphrase but he said something very much like the following:

My father would not want a eulogy so I will be brief, I have one story to tell.

(Turning to Father Morse.) You mentioned faith earlier. This story is about faith.

I do not recall exactly how the conversation started. Dad and I were sitting at the table talking. You know he had always been self-employed. There were five of us kids, all less than 10 years old at the time. He did not have work at the moment. It was Tuesday. He did not have another job lined up to paint for someone or do carpentry. The rent was due on Friday. We needed to eat. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a quarter. That's all I have, he said.

What are we going to do? What is going to happen? I said.

I have faith, he said. It will work out. Not sure how, but I have faith it will.

On Wednesday he got a call to do some work. That work provided the money for the rent and food.

He had faith. A quarter, and faith.

I have put a bunch of quarters in a jar at the door to the church. Please take one as you leave. Think of my father, Jean Joyal, and how he had faith. May the quarter remind you to have faith.

Thank you!

Peter told a simple and effective story. As we filed out of the church, both Dolores and I left with a quarter. A reminder to have faith.

Jean Henri Joyal, 72

ATTLEBORO - Jean Henri Joyal, 72, of South Main Street, Attleboro, died unexpectedly after being stricken ill on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 upon arrival at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro. He was the husband of the late Anita Louise (Proulx) Joyal, to whom he was married on Sept. 28, 1963 and who died on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008.

Born in Lawrence on July 3, 1936, he was a son of the late Armand and Ernestine (Brouillard) Joyal. In his infancy, he and his family moved from Lawrence to Pawtucket, where he lived for many years prior to moving to Attleboro in 1963.

He was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Central Falls, R.I.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force and later served in the Army National Guard.

As a painting contractor, Mr. Joyal was the owner and operator of the former Jean H. Joyal Contracting Company in Attleboro for 38 years prior to his retirement in 1995.

Mr. Joyal was a faithful communicant of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church in the Dodgeville section of the City of Attleboro.

He was a former member of the St. John Council No. 404 of the Knights of Columbus in Attleboro where he was the former grand knight.

Mr. Joyal enjoyed gardening and woodworking but most of all treasured the time spent with his cherished family.

He 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 M. Candelet of Attleboro Falls; nine grandchildren; his siblings: Mariette Bruneau of Attleboro, Albert Joyal of Westbrook, Conn., Vivian Lejeune of Succasunna, N.J., Helene Geoffroy of Pawtucket, Colette Robichaud of Pawtucket, and Anne Brunelle of Pawtucket, and numerous nieces, nephews and several extended family members.

He was the grandfather of the late Karleigh Joyal, who died in 2000, and was the brother of the late Rita Sherlock, Pauline Barrette and Armand Joyal.

Visitation has been respectfully omitted.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, March 2 at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen's Church, 683 South Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro, with the Rev. James Morse, pastor, officiating.

Burial will be private.

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.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Community Visiting Nurse Association, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703.

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

Arrangements 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

Pauline Florence (Joyal) Barrette

Pauline Florence (Joyal) Barrette, 78

Bookkeeper and piano teacher

ATTLEBORO - Pauline Florence (Joyal) Barrette, 78, of Clifton Street, Attleboro, an accomplished classical pianist, died on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at the Life Care Center of Attleboro where she had been a resident for the past month following a six-month illness.

Born in Pawtucket on June 11, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Armand and Ernestine (Broullard) Joyal. Raised and educated in Pawtucket, Ms. Barrette was a graduate of St. Jean the Baptiste High School and later earned her associate's degree in child psychology, and was a trained musician specializing in the classical genre on the grand piano.

Ms. Barrette will be remembered as a dedicated and devoted mother. She was employed as a bookkeeper for Fireside Motors in North Attleboro, V-Tron Electronics in Attleboro and A.P.V. in North Attleboro.

For more than 46 years, she utilized her musical talents and abilities to teach countless students the art of playing the piano. As a musician, she was a member of the Chopin Club of Providence.

A resident of Attleboro for the past 46 years, she had previously resided in Seekonk for 10 years, having moved to Massachusetts from her native city of Pawtucket.

She served as a volunteer for the North Attleboro Chapter of the American Red Cross for many years and was a "Jane of all Trades," being able to perform any task around her home, including home improvement projects, gardening or reconditioning antiques.

Mrs. Barrette leaves seven children: Elaine A. Farmer of Londonderry, N.H., Allen C. Barrette of Sanford, Maine, Christine M. St. Pierre of Forestdale, Ronald H. Barrette of Kensington, N.H., Linda C. Jarousky of Attleboro, Carol H. Domingue of Barrington, N.H. and Thomas E. Barrette of Holly Springs, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her siblings: Jean Henri Joyal of Attleboro, Mariette Bruneau of Attleboro, Albert Joyal of Westbrook, Conn., Vivian Lejeune of Succasunna, N.J., Helene Geoffroy of Pawtucket, Colette Robichaud of Pawtucket, and Anne Brunelle of Pawtucket; and several generations of nieces and nephews and extended family members.

She was the mother of the late David Michael Barrette, who died on Dec. 12, 2006, and was the sister of the late Rita Sherlock and Armand Joyal.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Sunday, Jan. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Ave. (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, 3/4 mile on left), Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.

Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service on Monday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Ave. (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, 3/4 mile on left), Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, with the Rev. Victor Chaupetta, M.S. of LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, officiating. Children's room available during visitation and the funeral service.

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

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

Private burial will be in the family plot in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ms. Barrette's name may be made to the American Cancer Society - Centralized Memorial Processing Center, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

For additional information or to send the family an expression of written sympathy, please visit 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.

This was originally published in the Attleboro Sun Chronicle here

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.

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Originally posted in the Attleboro Sun Chronicle