Joseph Graham Thibodeau

Send Condolence

Joseph Graham Thibodeau died suddenly Saturday, May 2, 2020, at the home of his daughter Katie in Richmond, NH.

The fifth child of Myrtie Belle Lanigan Thibodeau and Edmond S. Thibodeau (“Pete”) was born March 19, 1932, in Keene, NH. Their first child, Gerald, died at three months. Patricia (Patty), Edmond (Sonny), Sally Anne, and “Graham” all attended local St Joseph’s School and graduated Keene High School.

Family and friends called him Graham and also Joe. Graduating Keene High School he joined the US Army serving in the Korean Conflict for three years.

United States Army emblemHis first marriage was to Shirley Lancey Patria. They raised 5 children and divorced in 1969.

After Army service, Joe attended Keene State College receiving his Bachelors (1957) and his Masters (1960) degrees.

His teaching years began in the Monadnock Regional School District at its inception in 1962. Teaching in Troy, Fitzwilliam, Monadnock HS, and Keene HS totaling 35 years in Education. His passion for inspiring a love of learning in children guided his life. He always believed in the rich and abiding worth and potential of every child.

In 1972 Joe and Norma Grasing Brunk married in Troy in a civil ceremony and moved to Richmond NH with daughters Katie and Wendie. A son, Robert James, was welcomed in 1973 to complete this family.

Retiring from teaching in 1989, Joe then worked for Emil Legere Management Company for several years to retire again to enjoy studying his roots, genealogy, history, and diaspora of the Thibodeau family back to the 1600s.

Enjoyment was ever-present in reading, learning, and collecting information into 16 volumes of data.
Walking, chopping wood, gardening, fishing were favorite forms of exercise.

He loved listening to the radio, and being greeted by many former students with “Hi, Mr. Thibodeau”. They would remember together his influence in their lives.

Joe was involved in many civic organizations including State Forest Fire Warden for Richmond, Volunteer Fire Department, Public Library Trustee, Historical Society volunteer for both Richmond and Cheshire County.

Survivors include His wife – Norma C. Thibodeau. Children – Calvin L. Patria, Kenneth W. Patria, Kathleen J Turgeon (Andrew), Wendie M Thibodeau (Gregory Collins), Anna “Katie” Brunk, Robert J Thibodeau, Grandchildren – Tracy Jenkins (Harry IV), Lindsey Dukes (William), Andrew Turgeon (Jacquline), Joshua W Brunk, Robert A Brunk, Latoshia S Brunk, Daniel T Brunk. Great-grandchildren – Nathan, Nicholas, Harry V, Oliver, Cecelia Son – Michael E Patria (deceased)

In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Joseph Graham Thibodeau may be made to either of the following organization if you wish to:

St Joseph’s Indian School
1301 North Main Street
Chamberlain, SD 57325.
1-800-341-2235.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic a private graveside service was held in the family lot on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at Earl Howard Cemetery in Richmond.

Or to:

WAMC/Northeast Public Radio
318 Central Avenue
Albany, NY. 12206.

All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home and Crematories, 46 South Winchester St. Swanzey, NH. 03446.

This entry was posted in Obituaries. Bookmark the permalink.