Obituary: Jean-Luc Desautels, 85, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Jean-Luc Desautels - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend, 85, of Wallingford, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Connecticut Hospice with family by his side. Jean-Luc (John) was born to Alice (Paquette) & Emile Desautels in La Patrie, PQ Canada on May 31, 1937. He is predeceased by his parents and 8 brothers and sisters.

He started his 20+ year career as a machinist at Wallace Silversmith in Cookshire, Canada, relocating to Wallace Silversmith in Wallingford, Connecticut in 1966. When John moved to Connecticut, he only spoke French. He taught himself how to speak fluent English and went on to graduate from Mark T. Sheehan High School in Wallingford, Connecticut in June of 1983. In 1986 he changed careers to work with his son as a carpenter until he retired in 2000.

John and Bernice married on July 27, 1962 and were married for 60 years! They welcomed their first child Michael, in October of 1964. In short work, the family grew to four with the birth of Carol in 1968.

Through the years, John enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and spending time with his family. In the summertime you could always find him outside doing repair work on the house and/or gardening which he LOVED. He was a member of the Men’s Club at Our Lady of Fatima Church and sang in the choir. Anyone who knew him will remember the pride he took growing his 6’ tomato plants and gathering the ripe tomatoes and sharing them with everyone.

John loved making annual trips to Canada to visit his parents and other relatives. He was a phenomenal singer and even was the lead singer for an orchestra in Canada. In addition, he never missed one of his grandchildren’s events. Whether it was a baseball, softball, football, school play, dance recital – he was always the first one there.

In addition to his wife, Bernice, Jean-Luc is survived by his son, Michael Desautels and his wife, Terri, of Oakdale; his daughter, Carol Conant and her husband, William, of Wallingford; his grandchildren; Michael and Mark Desautels, Justin and Luke Willette, Sarah and Cassidy Conant and James Kerrigan; his great granddaughter, Jessica Desautels; and many nieces and nephews.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.