Lionel J. Lessard

Lionel J. Lessard, Sr., 91, of Manchester and Riviera Beach, FL, loving husband for over 68 years of Virginia “Ginny” (DiLisio) Lessard, entered into eternal life on Friday, August 28, 2015 with his caring family by his side. He was born in Lowell, MA on September 1, 1923, a son of the late Laurent J. Lessard and Emma (Camire) Lessard Roux. He had been a resident of Hartford for several years prior to moving to Manchester over 61 years ago. Lionel was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II where he served in Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. A devout catholic, he was a longtime communicant of The Church of the Assumption in Manchester. At Assumption, he was an usher and a Minister of the Eucharist for many years. A strong advocate of Catholic education, Lionel and his wife, Ginny, generously supported Assumption School and East Catholic High School, Manchester. In 1997, they were inducted into the East Catholic Hall of Fame for their generosity and support to the school since 1960. Prior to his full-time retirement at the age of 85, Lionel was employed as a Quality Control Chief Inspector at area machine shops manufacturing helicopters. He was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Campbell Council #573 in Manchester and of the Fourth Degree. He was also very active with UNICO of Manchester and was a Delegate for many years for UNICO National. Lionel enjoyed his home in Riviera Beach, FL for over 30 years, gardening (vegetables and roses), and was a loyal lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox. Most of all, Lionel was a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather who enjoyed family gatherings. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Robert “Bob” L. Lessard of Manchester; a brother, Emile Lessard of Enfield; his step-father, Wilfred Roux of West Hartford.

Besides his beloved wife, Ginny, Lionel is survived by three children, Angela L. Mac and her husband, John, of Cape Coral, FL, Patricia L. Gerrity and her husband, James, of South Windsor, Lionel J. Lessard, Jr. and his wife, Christina, of East Hartford; eight cherished grandchildren, Michelle Mac Palmer of Cape Coral, FL, Brian Gerrity and his wife, Nicole, of Manchester, John Robert Mac and his wife, Laura, of Jupiter, FL, Kelley Baccei and her husband, Steve, of Framingham, MA, Michael Gerrity and his wife, Ali, of Ellington, Colleen Gerrity of Cambridge, MA, Dan Lessard and his wife, Emma, of East Hartford, and Kyle Robert Lessard of East Hartford; a step-granddaughter, Jaime Sablitz of East Hartford; 11 adored great-grandchildren, Kyle Palmer, Hannah, Karley, and Jonah Mac, Abigail, Emily, and Matthew Gerrity, Julia and Olivia Baccei, Emma and Jack Gerrity. He also leaves a sister, Theresa Jahne of Wethersfield; a brother, Andre Lessard of Bristol; a step-sister, Yvette Daigle of Vernon; two sisters-in-law, Frances Larco of Wethersfield, Annette Lessard in Virginia; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Wednesday (September 2nd) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 am at The Church of the Assumption, South Adams Street, Manchester. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Wednesday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at St. James Cemetery, (Section F), Broad Street, Manchester. Relatives and friends may call at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Tuesday (September 1st) from 4-7 pm. Memorial contributions in Lionel’s name may be made to the Robert L. Lessard Scholarship Fund, c/o East Catholic High School, 115 New State Road, Manchester, CT 06042. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.