Obituary: Leo Vincent Chaisson, 87, Beloved Husband, Father, Woodworker, Veteran

Leo Vincent Chaisson, 87, a lifelong Natick resident and well-known cabinetmaker, died on Tuesday morning, November 29, 2016 at Beaumont Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center.

He and his wife, Joan (Holt) Chaisson, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in September.

Born in Milford, he was a son of the late Joseph A. and Elizabeth (Cordeau) Chaisson. Leo was a graduate of Saint Patrick School in Natick and Newton Technical High School.

He enlisted in the Army, serving as a Corporal with the Army of Occupation in Germany during the Korean War. Leo returned to Natick where he worked with his father at Chaissons Woodworking on East Central Street. Following his fathers retirement, Leo successfully ran the business for several decades. He then continues his passion as a woodworker for the Natick School system until his retirement.

Leo and Joan raised six children and together spent many vacations at a family home he helped build on Plum Island. They also enjoyed camping trips, cruises and travel to Alaska. Alaska was a favorite place for Leo where he enjoyed his passion for fishing.

He also enjoyed with his wife watching many of their grandchildrens sporting and school events. He is survived by his beloved Joan; their children, Gail and her husband Bruce Speca of West Dennis, Lynda and her husband Thomas Simeone of Ashland, Leo Jr. and his wife Cindy of Holliston, Susan and her husband Gary McCarthy of Upton, Keith Chaisson and partner Paul Jacques of Orange, CT, and Michael Chaisson of Anchorage, AK; nine grandchildren, Kristen Simeone of Maui, HI, Tricia Simeone of Colorado Springs, CO, Nicole Simeone of Worcester, Timothy Speca of Crested Butte, CO, Kevin McCarthy of Holliston, Matthew McCarthy of Upton, Angela Chaisson of Malden, Leo Chaisson III of Allston, and Alison Chaisson of Holliston.

Brother of Marie Czarnetzki of Bourne, and the late Joseph, Homer, and George Chaisson, he also is survived by his sisters-in-law, Sandi Giordano of Natick and Beverly Major of Colorado Springs, CO; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

His funeral was held in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Monday, December 5 at 11:00AM.  Committal Services were at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leos memory may be made to the USO, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677 (uso.org) or the Massachusetts Wildlife Sanctuaries (massaudubon.org.)