Joseph F Carbonneau, Jr.

Joseph F. Carbonneau, Jr. 91 of Worcester, a life-long Grafton Hill Business owner, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 31, 2021 after a period of declining health.

Born in Worcester on January 3, 1930,  the son of Joseph F. Carbonneau, Sr. and Anna (Poitras) Carbonneau, Joe was raised on Grafton Hill where he graduated from Commerce High and entered the family business with his father “Carbonneau’s Shoe”.   Upon retirement of his father, Joe assumed the role of President and guided the much-loved neighborhood business until passing it on to his sons when he retired at the age of 58. Joe worked a total of 48 years in the 100-year-old business that still remains a Grafton Hill fixture today.

Joe is survived by his former wife, Theresa H. Carbonneau, whom they share their four children, Ann M. Pepper, Gary J. Carbonneau and his wife Patricia, Richard J. Carbonneau and his wife Jane, Thomas J. Carbonneau and his wife Sandra; two sisters, Theresa Maillet and Jean Peare both of Millbury;  ten grandchildren that he was so proud of, Laurie, Lynn, Alicia, Leah, Alex, Lacie, Thomas, Brett, Matthew and Justin; seven great grandchildren, Giana, Cameron, Halle, Lucas, Olivia, Kash,  and Layla; Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  A son in law, Francis Pepper, four brothers, Homer, Ernest, Tebo and Lionel Carbonneau and a sister, Lorraine Bourassa all predeceased him. 

A man of faith and devotion, Joe was an active member and supporter of St Joseph Church over the years.  He was a member and former Vice President of the Harmony Club of Worcester and a member of the Worcester Senior Center. Joe loved to play cards with both family and friends, notably his favorite was game was cribbage. In business, Joe always greeted his customers with a smile, fair price, and great workmanship on his shoes.  Some customers would repair their shoes two or three times, just because of Joe’s ability to make shoes look brand new again. He also took great pride in donating endless pairs of shoes over the years to the Worcester Friendly House and Grafton Street School for children in need. Joe’s business endeavors first began alongside his father when he would help him after school and on weekends, then working full time and passing those skills on to his sons who run the business today.  But, his greatest treasure in life was his grand and great grandchildren, he was so excited and proud to have them around him whenever he could. Some of his favorite times with them were spent blueberry and strawberry picking, making his famous Pepere pancakes, going to the beach and picking up locally grown corn on the cob for dinner that night, traveling to Disney World, Florida and the White Mountains. He will always be remembered for his love of his family, charisma and sense of humor.

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Tuesday, April 6,  from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  His funeral will be held Wednesday, April 7th from the funeral home with a procession to his beloved Church, St Joseph Church, 35 Hamilton St where his Celebration of Christian funeral Mass, will be held at 11:00 am.   Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Joe’s name can be made to Worcester Harmony Club of Worcester, 7 Norrback Ave, Worcester, MA 01606