GOSSELIN, MAURICE J.

Maurice J. Gosselin, 87, formerly of Hartford, Newington and later Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed away peacefully January 8, 2011 at Countryside Manor of Bristol. He was born in Lac Noir, Canada son of the late Henry and Adele (Marcoux) Gosselin. He was predeceased by his best friend and loving wife Tomasina (Branciere) Gosselin. Maurice joined the Marines at the age of 18. He was stationed in the South Pacific with his platoon, “the Edson Raiders” and was very proud to the day he passed of his service to his country. After returning from the service, he married Tomasina Branciere and started their life together with their three children. Their journey together was cut short when Tomasina died in 1977. Maurice worked as a photographer before becoming a Correctional Officer for the State of Connecticut. He also worked part time as a custodian for the Church of the Holy Spirit in Newington. He retired in 1981 and traveled from Connecticut to Florida and back until he took up residence in Florida. In Florida, Maurice loved to dance and spend weekends at the local Polish Club. In the early years, he and Tomasina had taken dance lessons and were very good. He loved the warmth of the sun, the walks on the beach, and swimming in the pool at his condo. And all who knew him will agree that his passion for taking down a tree was matched by no one. He was devoted to his family as his family was devoted to him, he will be missed dearly. Maurice leaves behind his daughter Frances Phoenix and her husband Robert of Burlington, his son Richard Gosselin and his wife Sally of Granby, his son Michael Gosselin and his wife Nivia of Ivoryton, his two grandchildren, Katie Melfi and Benjamin Phoenix, both of Burlington, his three brothers, Jerry, Joseph and Andre Gosselin; three sisters, Germaine Bendzinski, Madeline Kinel, and Marie Barrieau and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Leo, Paul and Roger Gosselin, two sisters, Beatrice Bertrand and Pauline Griffin, his nephew, Jeffrey Gosselin and his great-nephew, Troy Gammie. The family would like to thank everyone at Countryside Manor of Bristol for their outstanding care, compassion and love of Maurice. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Saturday (Jan. 29) from 9-10 a.m. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10:30 a.m. Burial with full Marine Corps honors will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.