Biography
WORCESTER - Reynald (Sonny) Sansoucy of Worcester MA died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, June 9, 2016. He was eighty-seven years old. Reynald is survived by his six children: Michele Feinsilver Hoye (Robert), George Sansoucy (Pamela), Donald Sansoucy (Xiaoyu), Karyn Sansoucy (Roy), Denise Sansoucy (Frank), and Lisa Sansoucy; ten grandchildren: Bethanie Danko, Joseph Feinsilver, Benjamin Feinsilver, David Sansoucy, Austin Sansoucy, Matthew Sansoucy, Heather Trudell, Xilian Sansoucy, Drew Sansoucy, and Gabriel Phelan; and eight great-grandchildren. Sonny’s beloved wife of sixty-two years, Ginny, died in 2011.
Reynald was born on April 24, 1929 in Shrewsbury MA to Maxime and Alexandra (Lessard) Sansoucy. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1955 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was an active alumnus of WPI for many years. Upon graduation, Rey was recruited to work at the Presmet Corporation in Worcester MA, one of America’s pioneering powder metal manufacturers. Rey worked at Presmet for forty years, retiring as executive vice-president. In 1993, he received the Distinguished Award for Service to the Powder Metal Industry, awarded by the American Powder Metal Industries Institute. Rey served as chairman of the Boston Section of the American Powder Metal Industries and was a member and president of the Worcester Rotary Club and Greendale Men’s Club. Reynald was a communicant at Christ the King Church since 1936 and attended Sunday Mass regularly.
Sonny loved his old cars. He was a member of the Worcester County Model A Club, the Central Mass Model T Club and the Shrewsbury Old Car Club. He enjoyed restoring, maintaining and driving his antique cars on many club tours with his wife Ginny as navigator. Sonny loved gardening, too. Every year he planted a good-sized vegetable garden, and his orchard, berry patch and flower beds were remarkable over the years for their beauty and abundance which he shared lovingly with family and friends. Sonny’s children were proud to tell their elementary school classmates their father had a sugaring house and beehives right in the middle of Tatnuck!
Sonny’s greatest joy, however, was the interaction with his four daughters, his two sons, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family and friends remember him as an animated raconteur on many subjects from the Civil War to sports legends to the way things work. Sonny was curious, hard-working, energetic, strong in body and heart, and always ready to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors.
The quintessential handyman, Sonny spent many enjoyable years in his workshop among his tools and projects. There wasn’t a broken chair, an untuned carburetor, or long-used appliance that he couldn’t fix. It was this mechanical gift that allowed him to excel in his long and distinguished engineering career. But Sonny was a humble man and never talked about his accomplishments. Sonny was also a selfless man, balancing job with compassion and care for his family, especially for his wife Ginny, as she struggled and died from Alzheimer’s disease. Sonny was her sole caregiver for many years.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 14, from 3-7 PM at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street Holden, MA. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, June 15, at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St, Worcester, MA, followed by interment at Notre Dame Cemetery.The family would like express its gratitude to for the loving care provided by The Jewish Healthcare Hospice and Laura's Guardian Angels.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Joy of Music Program, 1 Gorham Street, Worcester, MA 01605 or to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Scholarship Fund, Office of Annual Giving, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280. To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit the "guest book" on this page.
Calling Hours
Tuesday
June 14, 2016
,
3:00pm
- 7:00pm
at
Miles Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday
June 15, 2016
,
10:00 a.m.
at
Christ The King Church
Click for Map and Directions