Ernest G. Lajeunesse, 89, of Mattapoisett, died Sunday April 13, 2014 at Our Lady’s Haven after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Ann M. (Stone) Lajeunesse.
Born in Acushnet, the son of the late Narcisse and Laura J. (Vallier) Lajeunesse, he lived in New Bedford and Dartmouth before moving to Mattapoisett 38 years ago. He also wintered in Florida for many years.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division – “the Screaming Eagles ” – in the European Theater, participating in the Battles of the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with bronze service arrowhead, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the Distinguished Unit Badge.
He was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett.
After completing his military service, he studied to become a mechanic and eventually became the fleet maintenance supervisor for Gulf Hill Dairy. He later worked for ComElectric where he was the senior purchasing agent until his retirement.
He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
His family would like to say thank you to the wonderful people at Our Lady’s Haven for their excellent care; to his special friends and neighbors; and to Mason, the young man who helped Ernie with projects with his car and around his house.
Survivors include his son, David E. Lajeunesse and his companion Nancy of Dartmouth; two grandsons, Scott M. Lajeunesse and his wife Beth and their children Zachary, Nathan, Sarah and Brooke, and Brian D. Lajeunesse and his wife Ali and their children Haley, Ben and Jack; and several nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Disabled American Veterans Chapter #9, 755 Pine St., Fall River, MA 02720. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.