Obituaries
Serving Our Community Since 1951
Obituary for Emile Joseph LaReau
Emile Joseph LaReau, age 92, of Stratford, beloved husband of Antoinette Sparano LaReau for 60 years, was called to eternal rest on December 18, 2017 surrounded by his devoted family.
Born June 9, 1925 in Gardner, MA, Emile was the son of the late Emile Peter and Alice St. Arnanud LaReau. With his six siblings he grew up in Stratford, CT. He was a faithful communicant at St. James Church his entire life. He attended Stratford High School until he was called to serve his country.  He enlisted in the Navy and saw action in the Pacific during WWII. He was a Corpsman on several hospital ships and received and cared for many of those wounded at Iwo Jima.Â
Returning home after the war, he opened Emile's Barber Shop on Main Street in 1945. Within a few years, he moved to his own building on 'the Cutoff' where he continued to cut hair for over 60 years. He was a charter member of VFW Post 9460, serving as Commander in 1989 and 1990 and achieving 'All-State Commander' two years.
Always the sportsman, Emile enjoyed many sports. From softball to tennis to golf to table tennis, if there was a ball to be hit, he was good at it. In his day, Emile was a nationally ranked table tennis player and was invited to go to China in 1971 with the US Table Tennis team for the 'Ping-pong Diplomacy' that eventually opened up trade negotiations after the Cold War. He declined the trip to stay home with his young family. Â
Left to cherish his memory are his children David and his wife Donna Keegan LaReau, Nancy Tomasco and her husband David, Jeffrey and his wife Tara Brosnan LaReau and Janet LaReau Battey and her friend Eddie Luciano. Emile had 13 grandchildren, Allison and Jacquelyn LaReau, Stephen, Katherine and Elizabeth Tomasco, Margaret LaReau, Janet Dziekonski, Robert, Michele, LeAnn, Rita and Laura Battey and Rebecca Sampieri. Emile had 4 great grandchildren Santino Sampieri, Jayen Battey and Daniel and Abigail Dziekonski.Â
Emile is also survived by a brother, Paul LaReau. Aside from his parents, Emile was predeceased by his brothers Albert, Francis, Lawrence and his sisters Rita and Lucille.
Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. by meeting directly in Saint James Church, 2070 Main St., Stratford. Interment with military honors will follow in Union Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may visit with his family Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in The William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to either, Saint James Church, Care of Our Father’s House, 2110 Main St, Stratford, CT 06615 or the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, 1088 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605.
For additional information or to leave a message of condolence, visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.
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Born June 9, 1925 in Gardner, MA, Emile was the son of the late Emile Peter and Alice St. Arnanud LaReau. With his six siblings he grew up in Stratford, CT. He was a faithful communicant at St. James Church his entire life. He attended Stratford High School until he was called to serve his country.  He enlisted in the Navy and saw action in the Pacific during WWII. He was a Corpsman on several hospital ships and received and cared for many of those wounded at Iwo Jima.Â
Returning home after the war, he opened Emile's Barber Shop on Main Street in 1945. Within a few years, he moved to his own building on 'the Cutoff' where he continued to cut hair for over 60 years. He was a charter member of VFW Post 9460, serving as Commander in 1989 and 1990 and achieving 'All-State Commander' two years.
Always the sportsman, Emile enjoyed many sports. From softball to tennis to golf to table tennis, if there was a ball to be hit, he was good at it. In his day, Emile was a nationally ranked table tennis player and was invited to go to China in 1971 with the US Table Tennis team for the 'Ping-pong Diplomacy' that eventually opened up trade negotiations after the Cold War. He declined the trip to stay home with his young family. Â
Left to cherish his memory are his children David and his wife Donna Keegan LaReau, Nancy Tomasco and her husband David, Jeffrey and his wife Tara Brosnan LaReau and Janet LaReau Battey and her friend Eddie Luciano. Emile had 13 grandchildren, Allison and Jacquelyn LaReau, Stephen, Katherine and Elizabeth Tomasco, Margaret LaReau, Janet Dziekonski, Robert, Michele, LeAnn, Rita and Laura Battey and Rebecca Sampieri. Emile had 4 great grandchildren Santino Sampieri, Jayen Battey and Daniel and Abigail Dziekonski.Â
Emile is also survived by a brother, Paul LaReau. Aside from his parents, Emile was predeceased by his brothers Albert, Francis, Lawrence and his sisters Rita and Lucille.
Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. by meeting directly in Saint James Church, 2070 Main St., Stratford. Interment with military honors will follow in Union Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may visit with his family Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in The William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to either, Saint James Church, Care of Our Father’s House, 2110 Main St, Stratford, CT 06615 or the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, 1088 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605.
For additional information or to leave a message of condolence, visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Emile Joseph LaReau, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
20
Dec
4:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
William R. McDonald Funeral Home
2591 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday
21
Dec
11:00 AM
Saint James Church
2070 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Interment with Full Military Honors
Thursday
21
Dec
12:30 PM
Union Cemetery
Temple Court
Stratford, CT 06615
Memorial Contribution
Saint James Church
Care of Our Fathers House
2110 Main St
Stratford, CT 06615
2110 Main St
Stratford, CT 06615
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