Beauchaine, Lester G.

ALBANY- Lester “Les” Beauchaine was born into eternal life on January 1, 2017 in the arms of his loving wife, Annette.

Born in Waterbury, CT on November 8, 1925, the son of George and Ophelia (Larivee) Beauchaine, he was raised in Albany.

As a member of “The Greatest Generation”, Les proudly enlisted in the US Navy in 1941 and served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII aboard the Destroyer Escort, USS Formoe #509 as a Signalman First Class.

He retired after 30 years with the US Post Office and was a member and Past Commander of the Pat Aiezza Catholic War Veterans Post. Les was also a member of the Bucci McTague American Legion Post, The Tin Can Sailor Association, The Destroyer Escort Historical Society, and served as Treasurer of the Formoe DE 509 Association.

When the USS Slater-DE #766 came to Albany in 1997, Les was one of the first volunteers and plank owners to sign up in the restoration of the destroyer escort. He would spend the rest of his years devoted to the ship, from chipping paint, serving as a tour guide and selling dog tags at Crossgates Mall with his first mate, Annette.

In 2006, Les was nominated and received The President Jefferson Award for Public Service. In 2008, Les humbly accepted the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Board of trustees of the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum and in 2010 was presented with The President Volunteer Service Award by President Obama and invited by the Patriot Flight Group as one of the WWII Veterans to view the WWII Monument in Washington, DC.

He is survived by the love of his life and devoted wife of 70 years, Annette “Nenet” (Torre) Beauchaine. He is the cherished father of Leslie (Michael) Long and Craig (Nina) Beauchaine and much loved Papa of Melissa (Jason) Wolfgang, Matthew (Caitlin) Beauchaine and Michael P. Long. He is the beloved “Big Papa” to Austin, Nolan and Jason “JT” Wolfgang and Greyson and Gannon Beauchaine. Les is also survived by his sisters Grace Hillman and Theresa Hazlett and sister-in-law Mary Green; several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by sisters, Ida Brogan, Flo Hogan and his brothers Gus, Ben and Bob.

Life will never be the same without our loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. His life was devoted to love of family and country and we will miss him so very much. Our parents’ love and devotion to each other continues to inspire all of us.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Les’ family on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany. The Parish family of Christ the King Church will gather at 4:30 pm for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church 20 Sumpter Ave. Albany. Interment with full military honors will be at 12:30 p.m. in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville, NY 12871.