LOWELL – Rene L. Bureau, 73, Vietnam veteran and longtime resident of Lowell, passed away Thursday, February 17, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Yolande C. (Bédard) Bureau, who passed away in 2017. He was born in Lowell on March 3, 1948 and was the son of the late Roger and Pearl (LaFlamme) Bureau. He grew up in Lowell and Tyngsboro. René graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Lowell in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Naval Hospital Corps School in California, Navy Hospital in Virginia, and Field Medical Service School in California. He was stationed on the USS Enterprise and the USS Sanctuary, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman with A Co. 1st Battalion 5th Marine Division in Vietnam. He was a decorated veteran, earning honors such as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, multiple Navy unit citations (USS Enterprise and 1st Marines), and numerous Vietnamese service medals and stars. He returned from service in 1971. In his later years, René volunteered with several veterans organizations including Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 147, Greater Lowell Veterans Council and as Commandant of the Marine Corps League Leo T Fortier Detachment 130 in Lowell, MA. René met the love of his life, Yolande in high school. Upon his return from Vietnam, they were married on September 4, 1971. They shared 46 years of marriage, three daughters, three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren. René always referred to Yolande as his “beautiful bride” and loved nothing more than his wife. After Vietnam, René became involved in the family roofing business, Bureau Brothers Roofing. He then earned a bachelor’s degree from Lowell University in the evening. His career has included Bradco Supply for over 20 years, Admiral Building Products, Marjam and most recently ABC Supply until his retirement in 2018. René was an avid fisherman and always enjoyed taking his boat out on the river or lake. He loved oldies music and DJ events for many years. He participated in the Town of Lowell’s Christmas Parade as a “special guest”. René was extremely good with his hands and could fix anything. He was a history buff and frequently watched the History Channel or old war movies. There were no crosswords he couldn’t complete. René enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was often at the Cameo Diner, the Athenian Corner Restaurant, or one of his daughter’s homes to help out with small projects. René is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law; Lynne and Bill Irvin, Paula and Eric Durand and Amy and Ryan Balakin. His grandchildren; Erica, Kristin, Jack, Mason, Rachael, Nicholas and Dylan, her brother David Bureau, her sister Karen (Bureau) Farinha, her brothers-in-law; Guy Bédard and Jean Bédard, his sisters-in-law; Lillian (Roy) Bedard, Sandra (Bjorkman) Bedard, Elaine (Martin) Bureau and Karen Bourque, as well as her many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends who she will miss dearly. He is also predeceased by his two brothers; Francis Bureau (2015) and Real Bureau (2015), as well as his sister-in-law Paulette Bedard (2015). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to DAV – Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital PO Box 1000, Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148
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His funeral will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 115 Middlesex St., N. CHELMSFORD. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in CHELMSFORD. Arrangements in the care of BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. Funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. & Jennifer Hardy. For the online guestbook, visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.
See the online memorial of René L. Bureau
Published by Lowell Sun on February 27, 2022.
