Henry J. Vanasse

Henry J Vanasse, 98, passed away peacefully at Oakland Grove Health Care Center on Sunday, April 19th 2020. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 43 years, Doris R. Vanasse.

Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he was the son of Mr. William Vanasse and Mrs. Bernadette (Laporte) Vanasse. Henry loved Rhode Island, and was committed to the Woonsocket community. He was active in the Catholic church, participated in fishing derbies, and enjoyed his neighbors very much. To those that knew him around town, he was lovingly referred to by his nickname “Sudsy.”

Henry served in WWII with the United States Army, finding himself in the South Pacific at age 23. He was a Purple Heart recipient for wounds sustained in action.

He is survived by his son, Dr. Gary Vanasse and his wife Angela M. Sousa of Wellesley, MA. Henry will be dearly missed by his three grandsons: Nicholas, Andrew, and Alexander. Nicholas (age 19), and Andrew (age 15) have many fond memories of their grandfather that they will share with Alexander (18 months) as he grows. He is also survived by his sister Lorraine (Vanasse) Laliberte.

Besides his parents and wife, Henry is predeceased by his siblings Rita (Vanasse) Plouffe, Normand Vanasse, Roland Vanasse and half-brother Anthony Berube. Services are under the direction of Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be private. Interment will be at the St. Jean-Baptiste cemetery in Bellingham, Mass. 

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