Jean Baptiste Levesque, 83

REHOBOTH BEACH - Jean Baptiste Levesque of Rehoboth Beach passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. He was 83.

He was born June 24, 1924, in Fall River, Mass., son of the late George and Philomene (Belanger) Levesque.

Mr. Levesque started his career as a civil engineer with the federal government in the District of Columbia where he worked for 25 years.

Following his civil service, he worked for Gannett & Flemming Engineering firm in Baltimore.

Mr. Levesque then worked as a free-lance consultant in civil engineering retiring in 1991.

He was a member of St. Edmond"s Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach where he was active in the Knights of Columbus.

During World War II, he was a first lieutenant with the U.S. Army serving for more than three years throughout Europe.

Mr. Levesque was a member of the Ocean View Veterans of Foreign Wars Mason Dixon Post 7234, the American Legion Post 5, Rehoboth Beach, and Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540.

He was an avid golfer and he enjoyed bowling.

Mr. Levesque was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lorette Marie (Lafleur) Levesque; two sons, Roger Levesque and his wife, Karen of Reading, Pa. and Thomas Levesque and his wife, Linda of Dallas, Texas; seven daughters, Elaine Brogan of Fredericksburg, Va., Dorothy Regan and her husband, Jim of Glen Rock, Pa., Patricia Morgan and her husband, John of Frederick, Md., Susan Gilbert and her husband, Dave of Bethesda, Md., Janet Butler and her husband, Roscoe of Frederick, Md., Yvonne Sargent of Riverview, Fla. and Bernadette Turner and her husband, William of Laurel, Md.; and 13 grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Edmond"s Catholic Church, King Charles and Laurel streets, Rehoboth Beach.

Interment with military honors will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriot"s Way, Millsboro.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to Meals On Wheels, 32409 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Lewes, DE 19958.