John M Bissonnette

NEW BEDFORD - BG John Marcel Bissonnette (Retired), of Boynton Beach, FL, passed away at the age of 93 on 12/27/24.

John was the widower of Eleanor (Mendonca) Bissonnette, to whom he was married on August 24,1957, until her passing on November 8, 2008. They were married for 52 years. He later married Michelle (Pernick) Brody on August 24, 2011, and they shared 11 years together until her passing on May 19, 2022.

Born in New Bedford, John was the son of the late Marcel V. and Ina (LaFrance/Rioux) Bissonnette. He was a lifelong resident of New Bedford, spending winters in Naples, Florida, with Eleanor. After his marriage to Michelle (Shelly) in 2011, he retired to Boynton Beach, Florida. John was a communicant of St. Joseph-St. Theresa Church in New Bedford, MA, and St. Thomas More Church in Boynton Beach, FL.

John attended St Joseph Parochial School, New Bedford. He graduated from Assumption Prep School, Worcester, MA. He was also a graduate of UMass-Dartmouth with a BSEE, and a MBA. As an accredited teacher with the Massachusetts Department of Education, he taught math, physics and related scientific courses including computers and programming, as well as being a professor for Undergraduate and Graduate Business Continuation Education for Anna Maria College. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and of the United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA. Holding the position of electronic engineer for thirty years with the Naval Underwater Systems Center, RI, he retired in 1995.

He enjoyed the love of reading, playing Duplicate Bridge, Canasta, golfing and gardening. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family and dog as well as traveling and taking special trips with his children and grandchildren.

John began his fifty-seven years of military service in 1949 with the 1st Battalion 211th Field Artillery, 212th Field Artillery, 101st Field Artillery, and State Headquarters, Massachusetts Army National Guard. He served tours of duty with the US Army in Ft. Bragg, Ft. Benning, Ft. Sill and Vietnam, and retired as a Brigadier General in 1987. He continued his career with the US Military for twenty-eight years as the State Director for the Massachusetts Selective Service System until his retirement in December 2006.

His military decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medals, Army Commendation Medals, Reserve Achievement Medals, Golden Eagle Service Medals, the Emergency Service Medals, Various Vietnam Campaign Medals, the National Selective Service Meritorious and Exceptional Service Medals, as well as a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Massachusetts Bronze Star, Silver Star, and the National Selective Service Distinguished Service Award.

John is survived by he and his wife Eleanor’s 6 children and 10 grandchildren. His loving children are: Anthony and his wife, Carol, of California, Michele of New Bedford, Michael and his wife, Heather, of Minnesota, Jeanne Gunning, of Holden, Kathleen of Arlington, and Christopher and his wife, Autumn, of Vermont. His ten grandchildren are Matt and Josh Bissonnette of California; Noah, Ryan, and Colin

Bissonnette of Minnesota; Grace, Jake, and Kyle Gunning of Holden; and Miles and Norah Bissonnette of Vermont. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as his faithful companion, Buddy, his dog.

John was predeceased by his brother, Normand Bissonnette, and his sisters, Lillian Breault and Claire Kondochriste. He is survived by his sister Blanche Richards of New Bedford and his sister-in-law, Darlene Bissonnette of Washington.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on February 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Church in Boynton Beach, FL. A celebration of life will follow the service.

A graveside service with military honors will be conducted later in 2025 at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. In accordance with his wishes, his cremated remains will be interred there and information will be posted at a later date.

Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Support Network, 660 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 21, Naples, FL 34102, are requested in lieu of flowers.