Denis M. Desrosiers, 86, of South Grafton

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Denis M. DesrosiersSept. 20, 1938 – Oct. 12, 2024

South Grafton – Denis (pronounced Denee) Marcel Desrosiers, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Denis passed away unexpectedly at his home in his backyard with his loving pets Elsa and Ellie by his side on Saturday, October 12th at the age of 86.

He was born in South Grafton, Massachusetts on September 20th 1938, the son of the late Leopold and Laura Desrosiers. He attended Worcester Boys Trade where he learned his lifelong trade of cabinet making. He began his career at W.J. Larrivee Manufacturing in South Grafton as a cutter and quickly rose in his career as a well-respected foreman. His skills took him to the tradeshow industry where he started the company Advent Associates in Worcester, MA. He loved that business and his skills as an engineer and businessman helped him to achieve many years of success providing him the opportunity to purchase the company where he started his career, W.J. Larrivee, Mfg. In 2004 he downsized his business and moved to a smaller facility in Worcester and rebranded as Crates to Credenza’s where he continued to work every day alongside his son Jason Desrosiers.

His fondest memories at childhood were playing cards with his Mom and family. His favorite game was pinocle and he often said it was the best game ever invented. We learned that his gifts as an engineer where apparent early on as he made many of his first tools including a table saw.

Those who knew Denis well would know him as a man of very few words who expressed his love and affection through sarcasm and wit. At home he was quiet and stoic preferring to stay busy doing projects, attending his garden, mulching leaves, and just staying busy doing at all times. At the shop he was a different man, animated and alive he was a leader a coach and an engineer. Over the years he employed hundreds of people and he cared deeply for every employee often sacrificing his own needs to make sure his employees and families were cared for. He believed in second chances and often employed troubled youths who were trying to find their way in the world. He loved coaching and teaching his trade.

Through his boys Christian, Jason and Adam, Denis became very active in scouting, and he was very proud to have raised three Eagle Scouts. On camping adventures Denis would use his skills to build furniture and other useful tools while at camp. His claim to fame in scouting was engineering a turkey roasting technique where he was able to cook as many as 20 full turkeys at once over several fire pits using a cardboard box as an oven. There were many feasts served at Treasure Valley by Denis.

He is survived by the love of his life Dolores (Gadoury) Desrosiers whom he met growing up in the same neighborhood together. They enjoyed a loving relationship and marriage for over 60 years together where they enjoyed the good times and persevered through the hardships of life. In their early years of marriage, they enjoyed going out square dancing together and socializing with lifelong friends. More recently they were able to enjoy traveling together fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit Alaska on a cruise. Together they loved spending time with their grandchildren Niveen, Yasmeen and Julian and they looked forward to every family gathering.

He leaves behind his wife Dolores (Gadoury) Desrosiers; three sons Christian Desrosiers, Jason Desrosiers and Adam Desrosiers; sister Yvonne C. (Desrosiers) Mitchell; his brother Joseph Desrosiers and his wife Barbera (Badger) Desrosiers; and grandchildren Niveen Desrosiers, Yasmeen Desrosiers and Julian Desrosiers and many dear nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces and close friends.

He was preceded by his parents, Leopold M. and Laura B. (DeGrandpre) Desrosiers; two sisters Gilbert Chenette and Jean Messier; and six brothers: Gerard Desrosiers, Paul Desrosiers, Georges Desrosiers, Bernard Desrosiers, Daniel Desrosiers and Roland Desrosiers.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a prayer service at 7pm on Thursday October 17th at the Roney Funeral Home located at 152 Worcester Street in North Grafton, MA 01536 preceded by calling hours from 4-7pm. There will be a reception immediately following at Wong’s restaurant at 62 Upton Street, Grafton, MA 01519. All are welcome to a graveside service Friday October 18th at 11:00am at Fairview Cemetery in South Grafton.

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