Albert J. Aucoin

Waltham – Mr. Albert J. Aucoin, of Waltham, died Friday, April 17, 2009 at Epoch Senior Healthcare in Weston. He was 87.

Al was born on February 28, 1922 in Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia and was a son of the late William and Josephine Aucoin. His family moved to Waltham when he was 3 and he had been a lifelong resident. Until his retirement in 1985, Al worked for thirty-five years as a custodian for the Waltham Public School Department.

After high school he joined the United States Navy where he served aboard the U.S.S. Nashville during World War II. While he was aboard, Nashville took part in raids on Marcus and Wake Islands and headed to the south Pacific in October 1943. During the next year, she participated in amphibious landings at Bougainville, New Britain, northern New Guinea, Morotai and Leyte, providing gunfire support and frequently serving as General Douglas MacArthur's combat flagship. While en route to the invasion of Mindoro on December 13, 1944 Nashville was hit by a suicide plane, losing more than 130 of her crew and suffering serious fire damage amidships. Repairs at the Puget Sound Navy Yard were made during January-March 1945.

Nashville returned to the war zone in May 1945 and took part in operations in the East Indies and South China Sea during the remaining months of World War II.

In October of 1950, Al was recalled to serve for another two years in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Roanoke during the Korean War.

In his early years Al was a talented hockey player and was a member of the 1938-39 Boston Olympics hockey team. He was also a longtime member of the PFC John M. Sullivan USMC VFW Post No. 10334 in Waltham. At Christmas Al could be counted on to play 'Santa Claus' at VFW events and also for the Waltham schools and at the W.E. Fernald Center in Waltham.

He leaves his wife, Winifred (Byrne) Aucoin; his children, Patricia H. Tierney and her husband, Thomas, of Feeding Hills, Joseph P. Aucoin and his wife, Janet, of Waltham, William P. Aucoin and his wife, Joan, of Brighton and James A. Aucoin of Reading; one brother, Lubin Aucoin of Sebring, Florida; 10 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was also a brother of the late Conrad Aucoin.

Family and friends will honor and remember Al's life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.

Burial will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Churg Strauss Syndrome Association, P.O. Box 671, Southampton, MA 01073 or online at www.cssassociation.org