Harvey E. Ouellette

Waltham – Mr. Harvey E. Ouellette, of Waltham, died Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at his home. He was 91.

Harvey was born in New Brunswick, Canada on February 10, 1922, a son of the late Frederick and Emma (Comeau) Ouellette. He was a graduate of Waltham High School and after the outbreak of World War II he joined the United States Army.

During the war Harvey served as a sergeant with the 125th Field Artillery Battalion and saw action during Operation Torch, the first American military action in North Africa. His unit followed the Allied advance into Italy and fought at Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, the North Appennines and finally during April and May of 1945 at the Po Valley, the last Allied campaign in Italy that resulted in the complete surrender of German forces that were occupying the country.

After coming home Harvey joined the Waltham Fire Department in February of 1947. On May 17, 1952 he married Theresa M. Deveaux in Saint Joseph's Church in Waltham and the couple remained lifelong residents of the city.

A firefighter for over thirty-one years, Harvey drove Engine 2 at the old Central Station on Lexington Street and held the same duty when the new station opened. In later years he moved to Engine 3 at Willow Street and remained there until his retirement in March, 1978. He had also worked for the Weston Town Library and after that he worked as the church sexton for First Parish in Lincoln.

In addition to his wife of sixty-one years, Theresa, he leaves his children, Nancy M. Coppolino and her husband, Michael, of Acton and Robert H. Ouellette of Waltham; his grandchildren, Michael, Krista and Matthew Coppolino, all of Acton and Shannon and Caitlin Ouellette, both of Chelmsford and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers Gerard, Frederick and Paul Ouellette.

Family and friends will honor and remember Harvey's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, June 17th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Julia's Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to The Waltham Firefighter's Welfare and Relief Association, 175 Lexington Street, Waltham, 02452.