Jean Marc Levesque

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Jean Marc “Frenchy” Levesque, 64, of West Tisbury died on May 4 at Massachusetts General Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on June 20, 1946, in L’Isle Verte, Canada, to Blanche and Wilfrid Levesque. He arrived on Martha’s Vineyard in 1971 after a brief stay in Chicago, Ill., where he courted and married his adoring wife of 41 years, Debra Sue Jensen.

Jean retired from NSTAR in 2005 after a 34-year career as a lineman and crew leader. He enjoyed his work and the brotherhood of his fellow employees. He was a communicant of Good Shepherd Parish and a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders Club, where he participated in many benefit rides and fundraising activities. Jean was also a past member of the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club. He loved hockey, gardening, being with family in Canada, Oregon, and Florida, and spending time with all of his friends.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed the outdoors throughout his life. At an early age, he started fishing for halibut and codfish with his grandfather on the St. Lawrence River. His love of fishing continued all through his life, and he could often be seen fishing the waters of the Vineyard Sound in his boat Frenzy.He took great pleasure riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle on the roads of the Vineyard. He would frequently ride with his wife Debbie and friends through the Island towns, up through Aquinnah and Chilmark, stopping in Menemsha for a quick break and a snack at the Bite.

Above all, Jean’s greatest joy in life was being a husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, teaching personal values, sharing childhood stories of his life on and around the St. Lawrence River, and passing along the joke of the day. He valued each moment the family was together and enjoyed sitting around the dinner table sharing a meal and a good laugh.

His father, Wilfred, predeceased Jean and he is survived by his mother, Blanche, brothers Jacques, Marcel, and Rejean, his beloved wife, Debbie, and sons, Andre and his wife Halley Smith, Eric and Courtney Dickson, Phillip and his wife Sarah Colombo, Willie and his wife Melissa Maturo. He was a loving grandfather to Marc, Ryan, Julia, Kameron, Skyelar, Shannon, and Rose. He will be missed by his brother-in-law Rod Jensen and his wife Sandy, and extended family of numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and many, many great friends.

“Keep the line tight” and “Ride on.” Frenchy. You will be forever in our hearts and missed by all.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven on May 28, 2011, at 11 am. A celebration of his life will immediately follow the service and will be at the P-A Club in Oak Bluffs.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557; Angel Flight NE, 492 Sutton Street, North Andover, MA 01845; or Hope Strengthens Foundation, 311 2nd Street, #303, Oakland, CA 94607.