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THIRD GENERATION

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4. Joseph LÉVEILLÉE was born 6 Sept and baptized 7 Sep 1868 in St-Aimé de Richelieu, Québec, Canada.(1) In 1870, he immigrated to Harris, Coventry, RI with his parents, his brothers and sisters. He returned to St-Aimé in 1879 where he sold apples. He married Césarie THÉROUX on 15 Jan 1889 in St-David, Yamaska, Québec. He is listed in the Régistre de Mariages de St-David d'Yamaska as Joseph FOURQUIN-LÉVEILLÉE.(2)
He dropped the FOURQUIN and added an extre "e" - Léveillée - to his family name around 1899, since this was the first time that he signed his name as "Joseph Léveillée". Refer to his daughter Juliette's baptism record below.
On March 15, 1909, Joseph immigrated viar St-Albans, Vermont, to Hope, Rhode Island with five of his children: Cécilia, Annie, Joseph, Aimé and Juliette.
On 22 March 1909 his wife Césarie (pregnant with Arthur) and the rest of his family, Bernadette, Jean-Baptiste, Homérild, Ida immigrated via St-Albans, Vermont, to Hope, Rhode Island. They were accompanied by a cousin, Cyphias Sylvestre, on the Grand Trunk Railroad. His family then moved to Mill Street, Harris Village, Coventry, Rhode Island.
On the marriage certificate and baptism certificate for his son Jean-Baptiste LÉVEILLÉE, he is listed as Joseph LÉVEILLÉE. He died on 6 May 1959 in Coventry, Rhode Island.

5. Émélie Césarie THÉROUX born and baptized on 5 Jun 1867 in St-Michel, Yamaska, Québec. Godfather was William CHARLAND and godmother was Marguerite THÉROUX. Neither of the witnesses could write. (3) She died on 8 Oct 1947 in Coventry, Rhode Island.

Early Family Photo

    Children were:

2.   ix. Jean-Baptiste Léveillée was born 23 Jun and baptized 24 Jun 1905 in St-Aimé de Richelieu. Godparents were Philias Rivard & Marguerite Fourquin-Léveillé. (26) He married Jeannette BÉLANGER on 5 Sep 1932 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil, West Warwick, Rhode Island. They had two children: Normand and Rita. He died 13 Jul 1965 in Kent Hospital, Warwick, RI. He is this author's father.

i. Marie Césarie aka Cécilia Fourquin-Léveillée, born 16 January and baptized in an emergency by Doctor Pierre Bergeron. Church baptism took place on 17 January 1890 in St-Aimé by Father Godard, with Louis Théroux as godfather and Sophie Lambert as godmother, her grandparents. The father Joseph Fourquin dit Léveillée signed as a witness to the ceremony. (8) She married Arthur Brousseau. Cécilia died 2 April 1938. Arthur died 30 Dec 1970. They had one daughter:

Cécile who married Eugène Hamelinwho had seven children: Richard, Paul, Denise ???

ii. Marie Argentine Rosanna Léveillée was born and baptized 7 Dec 1891 in St-Aimé. Her godparents were Narcisse Fourquin-Léveillé and Angèle Léveillé. She died 5 Nov at the age of 10 years 11 months and was buried 6 Nov 1902 in St-Aimé. (18)

iii. Anna (Annie) Léveillée aka Marie Anna Parmélie was born 23 Sept and baptized 24 Sept 1893 in St-Aimé. Godparents were Narcisse Théroux, merchant, and Élise Cardin, his wife.(17) She married Olivier Pelland. Annie died in 1983 and Olivier 17 Jul 1971 in Providence, RI. They had one daughter:

Muriel was born on 20 February 20, 1927 in Providence, RI. She married Edward Hodge on 10 October 1948 in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Providence, R.I. She died 15 December 2000 in Cranston, Rhode Island. Edward was forn on 1 February 1929 and died on 8 July 2000. Muriel and Edward had three children:

Paul
Karen Marie Hodge married Vincent T. Izzo Jr. Two children:

Vincent Thomas Izzo III
Luara Diane Izzo

Terry-Ann. (19)

iv. Joseph Alzide Léveillée, born 28 and baptized 29 Oct 1894 in St-Aimé, Québec. Godparents were Joseph Léveillé and Mélie Autotte (? Gothot, Ed.). On 11 Aug 1919, in St-Jean-Baptiste, West Warwick, RI, he married Eva VERRIER (Joseph & Eugenie DESMARAIS). Eva was born 20 Dec 1897 in Warwick, RI. Joseph worked at the Harris plant of Interlaken Mills when he first immigrated to Rhode Island. He was a World War I Army Veteran, and was a carpenter for 25 years at several Rhode Island firms. before retiring in 1967. Joseph died 6 Aug 1977 in Coventry, RI. (7) (20) They had one son:

Alcide LÉVEILLÉE was baptized 6 Feb 1924 in Coventry, RI and died 4 Aug 1979 in San Diego, CA. He married Annette Marie RICHARDS. She passed away on 21 April 2001. They had two daughters: Jennett (m. McIver) and Phyllis Eva Ann (m. Webbis). Jeannie has a son and daughter: Justin and Jenna.
Alcide was a decorated World War II veteran, having been with the 82nd Airborne Division, parachuting into the village of Ste-Mère Église, Normandy, France, on D-Day and being held captive by the Germans. Because he spoke French, he was able to escape. Refer to this story in Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines magazine, March 2004 issue.

v. Aimé Léveillée was born 28 May and baptized 29 May 1896 in St-Aimé. His godparents were Aimé Théroux & Georgiana Chamberland. He immigrated to Harris, Coventry, through the port of St. Albans, VT on 15 March 1909. Witnesses were Frank E. Vanasse and Jean B. Picard. He along with many members of his family worked at the Harris Plant of the Interlaken Mills. Aimé was also a wrapper for the Pawtuxet Valley Dye Co., for 15 years before retiring in 1972. He married Marie-Rose PICARD 23 Jun 1930 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil, West Warwick, RI. He died 15 Sep 1983 in West Warwick, RI. (6) (21)

vi. Juliette Léveillée; was born and baptized 15 March 1899 in St-Aimé. Godparents were Joseph Ledoux and Élizabeth LaPlante. She married Adelare SALVAS 9 May 1921 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil, West Warwick, RI; Alfred CHARBBONNEAU3 Jun 1944 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil, West Warwick, RI,; and Ivanhoe LÉVESQUE around 1955. She died on 31 July 1962 in Coventry, RI. (22)

vii. Joseph Antoine Olivier Léveillée, was born and baptized 7 May 1901 in St-Aimé. Godparents were Olivier Verrier and Mathilde Léveillé. (23) He died 14 Feb and was buried 15 Feb 1903 in St-Aimé. (24)

viii. Marie Evonne Bernadette Léveillée was born 3 Jul and baptized 4 Jul 1903 in St-Aimé Québec. Godparents were Joseph Joyal de St-Michel and Alvina Théroux. (25) She married Oméril (Omer) J. THÉROUX(Omérild Théroux & Émilie Léveillée) 23 Jun 1930 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil Church, West Warwick, RI. Bernadette died 31 May 1953, at the age of 49 years, in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Oméril was born in 1899 in St-David, Yamaska Country, Québec and died on 9 June 1966 at the age of 66 years, in West Warwick.
They had three daughters:

Lucille Théroux married Donald McLane. They had one son: Bruce.
Fernande Théroux married Donald Morin.
Claire married Albert Viens.

x. Joseph Homérile Léveillée born 12 March and baptized on 13 March 1907 in the parish St-Aimé de Richelieu, Québec. Godparents were Homérile Joyal and his sister Cécilia Léveillé. (4) The reason that Homérild and his sister Ida were baptized in the church of St-David was that the church at St-Aimé had burned to the ground in 1906; it was rebuilt in 1909. He died 3 Sep 1983.
He married Délia CYR on 20 Jun 1927 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil, Phenix in West Warwick, RI.
    They had four children:

Lorraine Léveillée married James Bruce
Raymond Léveillée married Winnie Tourgee
Donald Joseph Léveillée born 3 Jun and baptized 5 Jun 1932 in St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI. Godparents were Arthur BROUSSEAU & Célia LÉVEILLÉE. He married Lorraine M. DUPERRON 8 Oct 1955 in Notre-Dame Church, Phenix, RI. (10)
Marie Thérèse Gloria born 19 July and baptized 2 Aug 1936 in St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI. Godparents were Léo LANDROCHE & Blanche CYR. She married Albert MESSIER 14 July 1956 in Notre-Dame Church, Phenix, RI.(9)

His second marriage was to Aurore BEAUCHESNE 25 Aug 1941.

    Children were: Richard, Pauline, Maurice, Violette, Claudette, Cécile, & RoseMarie.

Pauline Yvonne born 6 Nov and baptized 8 Nov 1942 in St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI. Godparents were Eugene BEAUCHESNE & Leo FONTAINE. She married Ronald Leo BEAUCHAMP 11 Jul 1964, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Phenix, RI. (12)
Maurice Mérile born 20 Oct and baptized 24 Oct 1943 in St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI. He married Claire Pauline RENAUD 29 April 1967 in SS. Peter & Paul, West Warwick, RI. (9)
Violette Marie born 3 Jun and baptized 10 Jun 1945 in St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI. Godparents were Aldred CHARBONNEAU & Juliette LÉVEILLÉE. She married Gerald Gerard CHARPENTIER 29 May 1965 in Notre-Dame Church, Phenix, RI. (13)
Claudette Marie born 9 Oct and baptized 13 Oct 1946 in St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI. Godparents were Oméril THÉROUX & Bernadette THÉROUX. She married John M. Sestilli 188 Nov 1967 in SS Peter & Paul Church, Waterbury CT. (10)
Cécile Marie born 16 Jun and baptized 23 Jun 1948. Godparents were Réné ST.PIERRE & Yvonne ST.PIERRE. She married Raymond Joseph MAGEAU 1 July 1967 in Notre-Dame Church, West Warwick, RI. (11)

xi. Marie Ida Léveillée,was born 12 Feb and baptized on 13 Feb 1909 in St-Aimé de Richelieu, Québec. Godparents were Hilaire Robidoux & Marie Célina Léveillée, uncle and aunt. The officiating priest was O. Leduc, Pastor. (14) (27) The reason that Homérild and his sister Ida were baptized in the church of St-David was that the church at St-Aimé had burned to the ground in 1906; it was rebuilt in 1909.
She married Théode THÉROUX (Omérild Théroux & Émilie Léveillée)on 27 June 1936 in Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil Church. Witnesses were Arthur Léveillée, her brother, and Cécilia Brousseau, her sister. A cousin, Father Albert Léveillée was the officiating priest. (15) She became an American Citizen on 23 May 1939 (16), along with her husband Théode. Théode was baptized 9 Nov 1900 at St-David. Godparents were Louis Théroux & Délima Sayer. He died 6 September 1980 in West Warwick, RI. Ida died on March 8, 2005, in West Warwick, RI, at the age of 96 years. She was buried on March 12, 2005 in Notre-Dame Cemetery, West Warwick, Rhode Island. Ida is the godmother of this author; she died on his birthday. They had one daughter:

Rolande, a Sister of the Presentation of Mary.

xii. Arthur Léveillée was baptized 28 Jun 1910 in Coventry, RI. He married Irène Pelland. Arthur was my godfather. Arthur died 2 Nov 1964 and Irene died 31 Oct 1990 in Providence, RI. They had two sons:

Roger & Dennis.

Recollections of my grandparents

      Index LÉVEILLÉE       Index THÉROUX       Table of Contents      

  Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines     

(1) Régistre des baptêmes, mariages et sépulutres de St-Aimé, 1868, p. 197. St-Aimé is now also known as Masseuville, in Richelieu County, Québec.
(2) Marriages de St-David d'Yamaska, 1835-1966, by J.-M. Laliberté, F.C., Antonio Mongeau, F.C., B. Ponbriand, 1968, p. 234 & p. 324
(3) Régistres de Baptêmes de St-Michel d'Yamaska, Entry no. 67.
Copy of entry in possession of this author.
(4) Régistre des actes de baptêmes, mariages et sépultures, 1907, p. 37.
(5) Aimé Léveillée, Passenger Lists, Grand Trunk Rairoad, Vol 47, p. 69.
(6) Aimé Léveillée, Naturalization Certificate 11569,
(7) Marriages of St. John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, RI, 1873-1980, Janice Burkhard & Alfred Gaboury, A.F.G.S Library, 1987, p. 381.
(8) Régistres de Baptême de St-Aimé, Entré No. 2, 1890.
Copy of entry in possession of this author. Her mother's surname was spelled Tétreau instead of Théroux.
(9) J. Burkhart, A. Letourneau, M. Letourneau, L. McDonald, H. Paradis,Baptisms of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church,, Vol. 2, West Warwick, RI 1873-1989, A.F.G.S. Library Committee, 1992, p.790.
(10) Ibid., p. 792.
(11) Ibid., p. 789.
(12) Ibid., p. 791.
(13) Ibid., p. 793.
(14) Extrait du Registre des Actes des Baptêmes, Mariages et Sépultures, Saint-Aimé-de-Richelieu, 1929, Book 5.
(15) Certificat de mariage, Église Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil, Phenix, RI, 27 Jun 1936.
(16) Ida Léveillée Théroux, Certificate of Citzenship No. 4594548, issued 23 May 1939, Superior Court, Kent County, East Greenwich, RI.
(17) Régistre des Actes des Baptêmes, Mariages et Sépultures, Saint-Aimé-de-Richelieu, 1929, Book 5.
(18) Ibid., 1902, p. 179.
(19) Ibid., 1893, p. 213.
(20) Ibid., 1894, p. 250.
(21) Ibid., 1896, p. 12.
(22) Ibid., 1899, p. 150.
(23) Ibid., 1901, p. 150.
(24) Ibid., 1903, p. 209.
(25) Ibid., 1899, p. 221.
(26) Ibid., 1905, p. 279.
(27) Ibid., 1909, p. 101.

Des "dit" surnoms de famille à St-Aimé:

Léveillé = Fourquin, Thibault
Lambert = Lalue, Lamontagne
Brouillard = Fortier
Théroux = Féron, Ferron, Lacroix, Plessis, Tardif, Tardy
Brouillard = Fortier

Jean-Baptiste    Bernadette        Cécilia

Joseph Léveillée
Mon grand-père
"Pépère"

I remember my "pépère" Joseph as a jolly, pleasant man. On New Years day, all of the males in the Léveillée family would come to my grandfather's home to be blessed by him. I remember kneeling before him and he placed his hand on my head and invoked God's blessing upon me.
He taught me how to play "cribbage". He was a champion player; yet, I always seem to win and would bring home a nickel or a dime.
He worked for Interlaken Mills, in Harris village, town of Coventry, Rhode Island. He worked as Supervisor of the Yard at Harris Mill during all his life. He was made a supervisor because he spoke English and was able to interpret for all the French-Canadians who immigrated to Harris Village from various villages in Quebec, notably Yamaska, St-Hyacinthe and St-David.

Césarie Théroux
Ma grande-mère
"Mémère"

For the first five years of my life 1938-1942, I lived in the same Harris village as my grandparents. I remember my grandmother Léveillée as a very petite woman, who always wore a black dress; she wore her dark hair in a bun atop her head. On New Year's day, all her children and grandchildren came to wish her a "Bonne et heureuse année" - Happy New Year. She would reward her family with the best pork pies - tourtières - that I've ever tasted.
My grand-parents had a big, beautiful home at 11 Broad Street, two houses away from where I lived at 74 Mill Street, the village of Harris, Coventry, Rhode Island.
I related these stories on this web page for the benefit of my two grandchildren Alexia Rose Kelley (affectionately known as Pétoune) and Phillip Michael Kelley (Pitou). They love to hear about my past.

Césarie Théroux et Joseph Léveillée
Married 15 January 1889
St-David, Yamaska, Québec

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