LAUDERHILL, FLA. – Donat Emile Boisvert, 84, the last of 10 children of Alexandre and Julia Coulombe Boisvert, died peacefully on Jan. 18, with his wife and children beside him in Lauderhill, Fla., where he and his wife have been winter residents since 1992.

Born on July 26, 1920, in St-Edouard de Lotbinire, Qubec, he lived most of his life in Lewiston, spending summers in Five Islands, since 1978.

As a young boy, he was active in parish activities as a member of the St. Mary’s Cadets and excelled in baseball and hockey.

Upon his departure to serve his country in World War II, Le Messager wrote: “M. Boisvert est trs en vu dans les cercles des deux villes.” He was also an electrical engineer on a B-29 in the South Pacific, in the United States Army Air Corps.

After he returned home, he married his childhood sweetheart, Irene Deslauriers, on March 2, 1946.

A longtime employee of Bates Manufacturing Co., he rose to the position of Superintendent of the Yard Department and Traffic Manager. He was also a member of their softball team and a leader of the Boy Scout troop 118.

He was very active in civic and community affairs. He was elected alderman for the Little Canada section of the city, chaired the Zoning Board of Appeals, and was a member of the Health and Welfare Board. He served his community as president of the St. Mary’s Parish Credit Union, president of the Richelieu Club, and as a member of the francophone cultural organization L’Unit.

His sense of family was inspirational. His devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews will ever be treasured by those he touched, as will his love of life, sense of humor and optimism. His “joie de vivre” was irresistibly infectious.

He leaves behind, Irene, his loving wife of 58 years. Survivors also include three sons, Raymond and his wife, Jayne, of Albany, N.Y., Donat of Lewiston, Robert and his wife, Deborah, of Acton, Mass.; six grandchildren, Alex and his wife, Lorne, Daniel, Phillip, Sylvie, Janelle, and Justin; along with several nieces and nephews.