Henry Raymond Bleau

"Belchertown, Henry R. Bleau, 89, of Federal St., died Sunday, February 17 in Hadley. Born in Palmer, January 17, 1919, he was the son of the late Pierre and Rose Delima (Bell) Bleau. Henry served in the Army's Yankee Division in the 104th Infantry from October 9, 1940 to October 11, 1945. Having been wounded at Bellecoeur Woods in France, he was awarded a Purple Heart. He was most proud of his Combat Infantryman's Badge because it indicated he had been at the front and had engaged the enemy. Following his discharge, Henry married Elsie Ann Madden. He is survived by their children Linda Pilsworth and her husband John of Missoula, MT, Peter Bleau of Hadley, MA, Richard Bleau and his wife Carol of Chicopee, MA, and Michael Bleau and his wife Cindy of Enfield, CT. He also leaves his 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Besides his parents, his 12 siblings preceded him in death. Henry and Elsie were divorced in 1963, and he was later married to Elizabeth "Biz" (Morin) , and following her death, Henry later married a woman from his army days, Hazel St. Cyr, and were together until her death. Henry has worked hard all of his life, making many friends along the way. He retired early from Elder Jones Lumber in Amherst to care for Biz after a stroke. Over the years, he lent his hand to building pre-fab homes, working as an auto mechanic, delivering the U.S. mail, carpentry, and in his retirement years, building great picnic tables for folks throughout the area. Since 1983, Henry was an active member of AMVETS Post #74 in Three Rivers. Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 20 at 11:30 a.m. in the Beers & Story PALMER Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St., (Rte. 20) followed by burial with military honors in Mass. Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Agawam at 1:00 p.m. A calling hour will precede the service from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. For those wishing, donations may be made to Veterans Administration Spinal Cord Center in Roxbury, MA or to a favorite charity. "