J. Wilbert ""Wil Thibodeau

J. Wilbert ""Wil"" Thibodeau, 85, of East Hartford, loving husband of over 64 years of Doris (Gauvin) Thibodeau, peacefully passed away on Monday, September 28, 2015. Born in St. Francis, ME on March 22, 1930, a son of the late Hector and Cecilia (Bouchard) Thibodeau, he had resided in East Hartford for the past 51 years. Wilbert was a proud veteran of the Army National Guard during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement he was an area Salesman for over 40 years at several retail stores. A devout Catholic, Wil was a communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford. He was an avid reader and a loyal fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. Wil also enjoyed traveling with his family around the country in his car, and loved spending the winter months in Florida with his wife and going annually to the Caribbean. Along with his beloved wife, Doris, Wilbert is survived by his three devoted daughters, Sharon Erickson and her husband, William, of South Windsor, Beverly Miller and her husband, Raymond B., of South Windsor, Gail Forte and her husband, Leo, of East Hartford; seven cherished grandchildren, Diane Gurry and her husband, Brendan, of Haverhill, MA, Karen Erickson in England, Craig Miller of South Windsor, Christopher Forte of Windsor Locks, Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca Forte all of East Hartford; and three adored great-grandchildren, Jason, Adam, and Kayla. He also leaves a brother, Eldon Thibodeau and his wife, Maxine, of Fort Meyers, FL; three sisters, Nancy Hughes of New Milford, Elsie Tardif and her husband, Jerry, of Plainville, Judy Lockhart and her husband, James, of Hermon, ME; a brother-in-law, Raymond Gauvin of Portland, ME; several nieces, nephews, former customers, and dear friends. Besides his parents, Wilbert was predeceased by a grandson, Kenneth M. Miller of Enfield; and three brothers, Martin Thibodeau of Worcester, MA, Ervin ""Von"" Thibodeau of Stafford Springs, and Dale Thibodeau of St. Francis, ME. Funeral service will be Friday (October 2nd) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Peace Church, May Rd/Brandon Rd, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Friday morning). Burial will follow at Veteran's Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wilbert's name may be made to a favorite charity of the donor's choice . The D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.