Archille D Thibodeau

Archille D. Thibodeau, 92, of Worcester, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Knollwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Archille “Archie” was simply “the best” to all who knew him. He was born on January 19, 1930, in West Warwick, RI, the son of Archille and Amy (Greaves) Thibodeau. He was the loving husband of 61 years to Marion (Paroyian), who passed away in 2016.  Two siblings, Morris Thibodeau and Lois Powers, also predeceased him.

He leaves four children and their spouses: Richard D. Thibodeau and his wife Deborah of Watertown, Sandra L. Melanson and her husband Jeffrey of Shrewsbury, Debra S. Trapasso and her husband Dominic of Rutland, and Gayle J. Connole and her husband Dennis of Worcester; Eight wonderful grandchildren: Erika, Rachael, Jennifer, Angelina, Alexis, Dennis “Anthony” III, Sydney, and Dominic; 2 great-grandchildren: Brynn and Makenna.  The love and admiration for their Papa was so special.

He met the love of his life Marion at a dance in Fort Devens, MA where the love story all began. He loved his family dearly and was known for his kindness, generosity, compassion, and thoughtful ways. Archille and Marion loved to travel, and his Army career provided the opportunity for them to set up a home in many different areas of the country. He was also stationed in Austria, Germany, and Korea. Their love of travel extended to their motor coach trips to Florida and the forty-five years they enjoyed as seasonal residents at Powder Horn Campground in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He enjoyed many years deep sea fishing with his son and sons-in-law at Seabrook, New Hampshire. He loved coming home with the catch of the day and sharing it with his family and neighbors.

As a young boy at the age of 10 while walking by a store window he saw a set of drums he liked, and his father bought it for him. He taught himself to read music and play the drums. Archille attended the Navy School of Music where he later graduated, Ninth Army Band Music School, and the United States Army Music School in Dachau, Germany. During his military career, he played with the United Nations Band in Vienna, Austria, Sixth Army Band in San Francisco, CA, Fifth Army Band in Chicago, IL, Fairbanks, Alaska, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and the Seventh Division Band in Korea. He retired in 1969 after 22 years in the Army.

Post-military life, he taught drum lessons at the Perry Conte Drum Studio, played drums at private parties, working with George Gregory and local bands, volunteered his time playing at senior centers, community centers, and nursing homes with the Trinity Band, and was a regular performer at El Morocco, a Worcester landmark. He also loved parade performances with the Army Band and local union bands. He was a member of the Drum & Bugle Corp.

The world was a better place with him in it. It is a huge loss to us all. He was such a special man, father, grandfather and father-in-law. He was such a loving, kind, selfless man who always put others first and would always say, “I want to help,” and “I want to do the right thing.”  It’s difficult to put in words what he meant to us all. Our parents set a wonderful example - their forever love, commitment and unconditional love was so special to one another. He was such a “great man,” truly the best. We were so blessed, and it was a privilege to call him our father.

The Thibodeau family would like to extend their gratitude to the nursing staff at Knollwood Nursing Center and the hospice team from The Jewish Health Care Center.

Calling Hours for Archille will be held on Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His funeral will be held on Monday, February 14, 2022, departing the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. in procession to a 10 a.m. Funeral Liturgy at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester, MA. Interment services will be held privately at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605.