Joseph 'Armand' R. Morin

Leominster – Joseph “Armand” Roger Morin, 97, died peacefully at home on Saturday, March 24, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Laconia, NH, the son of Edward and Odile (Chabot) Morin and has lived in Leominster for many years. His devoted wife of 70 years, Jeanette (Arell) Morin, passed away in 2015. Armand was raised in Jefferson and graduated from Holden High School in 1940. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Florida State University. Armand was a proud career veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 29 years of active duty and five years in the reserve. During WWII, he served as a Radar Officer on the P-61 Black Widow night fighter, flying 70 combat missions in the European Theater. His squadron was awarded Belgium’s highest honor, the Croix de Guerre (War Cross), by the King of Belgium for their service during the Battle of the Bulge. After WWII, he worked for several companies in the Holden area before being recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Armand flew for several more years before transitioning to military communications management. During those years he was assigned to various posts including Germany (two tours), the Pentagon, Cape Canaveral (now the Kennedy Space Center), and Hanscom Field, working on satellite communications development during the early years of space flight and then on radio frequency management systems for U.S. and allied military services. Following his military career, Armand worked for Tracor, Inc. as Research and Development Director, retiring in 1985. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, and going to the flea markets. It was the hunt for a good bargain and the satisfaction of getting one that really made him happy. Armand will be lovingly remembered by his children, Roger Morin and his wife, Ann Marie of Baltimore, MD, Lenore Souza and her husband, Mark of Westford, MA, and Michele Doody and her husband, John of Damascus, MD; his brother, Raymond Morin and his wife, Irene of West Boylston, MA; ten grandchildren, Alicia Gilroy-Scott and her husband, Peter, Craig Morin and his wife, Sarah, Andrew Morin, Peter Morin and his wife, Luki, Matthew Souza, Timothy Souza and his wife, Ashley, Daniel Souza, Katherine Souza, Ian Doody, and Julia Doody; and seven great-grandchildren, Evan, Audrey, Leela, Margot, Isa, Abigail, and Christopher; a sister-in-law, Blanche Arell; others who were like children and grandchildren to him; and many nieces and nephews. Armand was predeceased by 11 brothers and sisters. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Armand’s family from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden, followed by a procession to St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson, MA 01522, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 (nationalMSsociety.org). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Guest Book" on this page.