Joseph Henry Massicotte

Joseph Henry “Joe” Massicotte, 100, a lifelong resident of Keene, a World War II pilot and member of The Greatest Generation, passed away peacefully Oct. 7, 2023, at Cheshire Medical Center after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Family was at the center of Joe’s life. He was born in Keene on April 21, 1923, one of nine children of Joseph Alfred and Mary (Levesque) Massicotte. Joe’s father died when he was 9 years old, a profound loss for him and his family. Despite the tough times experienced, it was still a happy home. Joe’s mother was a strong woman who provided for her children, and all of the children helped by taking jobs from an early age. His close bond with his mother and siblings was only rivaled by the love he had for his wife, Dot, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His family was truly blessed, as Joe had a full life until the end. Joe lived independently until his mid-90s and moved into assisted living only four years ago. In April, he attended three different 100th birthday parties and he thoroughly appreciated every one of the 100-plus cards he received from family, friends and strangers alike.

Joe graduated from St. Joseph’s School in 1938 and Keene High School in 1942. In his younger years, he delivered newspapers and worked other odd jobs, and then in high school he worked at Kafelt Manufacturing Co. and Lemay Furniture Co.

In 1942, while his older brother Paul was serving in the U.S. Marines, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Aviation Cadets. He attended flying schools in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, flying PT-17s and BT-13s. He received his pilot wings and became a Second Lieutenant in May 1944 before piloting B-24 Liberators as a member of the 15th Air Force, 485th Bombardment Group in the 830th Squadron. Joe was stationed in Venosa, Italy, and flew missions over Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and Austria. While serving in Europe, Joe’s older brother, Paul, was killed on Iwo Jima in February 1945. Joe was honorably discharged later that year with the rank of First Lieutenant.

Upon returning home from the war, Joe was employed by Kafelt Manufacturing Co., Keene Tool and Die and Henkel Manufacturing. He owned Cheshire Electronics, repairing TVs and radios, and he also received his commercial pilot’s license to fly multi-engine aircraft. Joe then worked for more than 42 years at Findings, Inc. He started as a tool and die maker and retired as Vice President of Engineering in 1991. Even in retirement, Joe enjoyed tinkering on machines and could fix just about anything.

Joe married the love of his life, Doris “Dot” Castor, at St. Bernard Church on Feb. 15, 1947 with Rev. James Quinn officiating. Together they raised six children and enjoyed golf, bowling and dancing. In retirement, they often spent winters in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Joe and Dot were married for more than 71 years at the time of her death from Alzheimer’s in 2018.

Joe’s hobbies included golf, gardening and playing the organ. Well into his 90’s, Joe enjoyed using his computer. He had spreadsheets for everything — including a spreadsheet for his spreadsheets.

Joe was a lifelong communicant of St. Bernard Church. He was a current and longtime member of the Keene Rotary Club, from whom he received the Paul Harris Award in 2017 and again in 2023. At the time of his death, he was also a member of the Keene American Legion Post #4 and the Knights of Columbus #819. Additionally, he was a charter/life member of the American Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Past President of the N.H. Senior Golf Association, lifetime member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, former member of the Keene Country Club and Hooper Golf Club, and longtime member of the Keene High School Class of 1942 Reunion Committee, which held their last (75th) reunion in 2017. He was also the subject of a Monadnock Profile in the Keene Sentinel on Sept. 22, 2018.

In addition to his beloved wife, Doris Castor Massicotte, Joe was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Paul L. Massicotte; and his sisters, Ida Massicotte, Irene Massicotte, Alva Blanchette, Muriel O’Neil, Jeannette Carrier, Rita DeBonville and Lorraine Hale.

Joe is survived by his six children and their spouses: Paul Massicotte (Sherry Stanley) of Walpole; Dennis Massicotte (Jennie) of Brookfield, Conn.; Steven Massicotte (Gay) of Freeport, Maine; Gayle Stinson (Bill) of Troy; Cynthia Grout of Keene; and Jennifer Massicotte of Charlestown. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their spouses: Heather Main (Scott); Kelly Massicotte (Mike Bailey); Christopher Massicotte (Eric Ault); Megan Colella (John); Hilary Massicotte; Emily Marczak (Tom); Leigh Hemmings (David); Sarah Gray (Dylan); David Grout Jr. (Maureen); Devon Turnbull (David); Dyane Grout; Nick Massicotte (Katie); Brittany Stanley (Aaron Drury); and Cortney Stanley (Melanie); and his great-grandchildren: Elise and Travis Main; Blake, Cayden and Emerson Colella; Ian Williamson; Petra Marczak; Ryan Hemmings; Cosette and Lily Grout; Aiden and Andrew Turnbull; Belle Greenleaf and Lincoln Massicotte; Emerson Stanley; and Lowell Drury. Joe also leaves his sisters-in-law, Lorraine Castor Whaley, Carolyn Castor and Margaret Castor; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family, friends and fellow residents at Langdon Place.

There will be no calling hours. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard Church, 185 Main St. in Keene, with interment following at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, 173 Main St., Keene NH 03431; the Alzheimer’s Association Mass./N.H. Chapter, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham MA 02452; or the charity of one’s choice.

When asked, Joe said the secret to living a long life was to be a nice person. May his kind spirit live on in all who were fortunate enough to know him.