1955 - 2017
Visitation
July 23, 20172:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
July 24, 201710 AM FH/ 11:00 AM Church
St. Rita's Church 158 Mammoth Road Lowell, MA 01854
Ernest “Ernie” J. Descheneaux, 61, of Lowell, MA died Thursday, July 20, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was married to Laurie (Tucker) Descheneaux with whom he celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on June 7th.
Born in Lowell on October 17, 1955, he was the son of the late Maurice L. and Harriet Descheneaux. A lifelong resident of Lowell, Ernie graduated from Lowell High School with the Class of 1973. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Education from Lowell State College, which is now University of Mass at Lowell. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Rivier College.
Ernie worked as an English Teacher at Lowell High School since 1983.
Ernie was a devoted and loving husband and father. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed coaching his children and youth sports. Ernie coached for 40 years beginning at the age of 18, coaching baseball for PYO, Lowell Vocational and Lowell High School. He also coached basketball for CYO, Lowell Travel, and Lowell Highlands for several years.
He was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church in Lowell.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Tucker, Luke and Jake Descheneaux all of Lowell; two brothers, Paul Descheneaux of Nashua, NH, James Descheneaux and his wife, Paula of Lowell; Brother in-law, George Tucker III and his wife, Michelle of Dracut; and sister in-law Lynn Rourke and her husband, Kevin of Londonderry, NH; nieces and nephews, Paul Descheneaux Jr, Lindsay Descheneaux, Stacey (Polewarczyk) Haddad, Tyler and Ryan Descheneaux, Kaelyn, Ashley and Kevin Jr. Rourke, Cole and Shamus Tucker; along with many coworkers and close friends.
He was predeceased by his sister, Maura Polewarczyk.
Visiting hours are Sunday 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Monday at 10:00 a.m. from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rita’s Church, 158 Mammoth Road, Lowell, MA 01854. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. Memorials may be made in his name to Lynch Syndrome International P.O. Box 19 Madison, CT 06443 or JUSTGIVE.ORG for online donations. ARRANGEMENTS by DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041, Guestbook at dolanfuneralhome.com
Pasqua leary
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… And he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun….Rest in peace my dear colleague and friend.
Deepest sympathy to the Descheneaux family.
Bob Brouillette
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My deepest sympathies to the Descheneaux family. A truly incredible man. You will be forever missed my friend but the memories you left us will last a life time.
Tom Leonard
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Sympathies to Laurie and the kids. I enjoyed my years with Ernie at LHS. He was a great English teacher and loved coaching baseball. Lowell High was lucky to have him on the faculty and the kids lucky to have a wonderful roll model.
Tom Leonard
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Should have had Ernie as an English teacher. I meant to say he was a wonderful role model.
Marjorie (Considine) Harnum
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Ernie was a wonderful person and gentle soul …..so truly so for your family’s loss ❤️
Michelle Kohanski
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Heart felt sympathy to the entire family. May you somehow find peace during this difficult time.
The Clarks- Jim, Kathy, Andrew and Matthew
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Our condolences to the Descheneaux family. Ernie was a great guy and he will be missed. We are so sorry for your loss.
The Clarks- Jim, Kathy, Andrew and Matthew
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Our condolences to the Descheneaux family. Ernie was a wonderful man and will be missed. We are sorry for your loss.
Lydia Rizzo
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You were a wonderful teacher, always put a smile on my face, rest in the sweetest peace Mr.Descheneaux!
Vincent Sivutha Khin
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Very good teacher, I was lucky to have this amazing man as my English four teacher for my final year of high school. Funny, straightforward and I learned a great deal from him. Mt deepest sympathies to his family.
Asiaa Lunn
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I had Mr. Descheneaux as my senior AP English teacher back in lhs (2014). He always came to KFC with his wife and kids and always made a point to say hi whenever I worked too. I can’t believe it. He was one of my favorite teachers back from high school who actually enjoyed teaching and taught us useful things like building a resume. My deepest condolences to the whole family. I know he was a great family man by the way he talked about his wife and children. I am so sorry for your loss.
Doreen (Orlando) Burgess
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My deepest sympathy to the Deschaneaux family. Sending healing prayers and comforts hugs to you during this difficult time.
Nanichy De Los Santos
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The good always seem to leave us first. This man was an amazing person and teacher. He was always kind and funny. I loved listening to his stories about his wife and 3 boys. He would talk about them everyday and you could feel how much he loved them from the way he described them to us. His teaching skills were so great he made reading Macbeth and other Shakespeare seem fun and easy. Unlike other teachers, he cared about how his students felt and always took like to speak to us personally about what we were struggling with. I always looked forward to his class and talking to him. He was a person who really made LHS shine. My condolences to his family. You will surely always be missed Mr. Descheneaux.
Kerri thyne
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My son had the pleasure of being coached by Ernie one year-and was often on the ‘rival’ team of his brother’s, Jim. From what I saw and knew of Ernie, he was a devoted father and husband-his family is quite lovely. I will continue to pray for his boys, his wife, and the rest of his family as they mourn his loss. Rest in the sweetest peace Ernie. To his children; know your dad is with you always in the way you carry on in this journey of life.
Kristin Tousignant
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Dear Descheneaux Family
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Ernie. I have known Ernie for 30 years as a great neighbor of mine along with his mom and know his brother Jimmy who is now my neighbor. Ernie was a great guy and he will be missed by many people. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and you are all in my thoughts and in my prayers. May he fly high with the angels and watch over his family
Gretchen and Seamus
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Our Deepest sympathies to the Descheneaux family. You were a wonderful coach and friend!
Tom and Diane Webber
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Ernie was the gentlest of men, he always had a big smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Remember he will always be with you. Love to all and God bless the whole family
Brown-Denton Family - Ramona, Sam, Faith, and Howie, Jr.
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My condolences to the Descheneaux family. He was a great person, who was one of my son’s early baseball coaches. He taught my son a lot about baseball, at a young age and I credit him along with the PYO organization as contributors to my son’s success as a player! I pray that the Lord would comfort his family and give them peace during this difficult time!! Rest In Heaven Coach!
Kara Pigeon
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Very few people are as genuine as Ernie was. He had a gift for teaching and coaching and touched so many lives. He beamed with pride when he talked about Laurie and his boys. I hope he truly felt the love that he gave to this world coming back to him and his family the last few months. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the entire Descheneaux family at this difficult time. Ernie was truly irreplaceable.
Milagros Mojica
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He was my english teacher at lowell high school the best teacher ever. He made us laugh and always mafe sure all his students were doing good in their classes or making sure we were doing the right thing. 1996 threw 1997 my teacher i was lucky.RIP ❤
Landry family , Steve,Cheryl,Evan ,Ava
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The city of Lowell has lost an icon a father, teacher, and coach. Ernie will be sadly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. My heart and prayers go out to Laurie and the boys. May he rest in eternal peace.
Beth Madden, Wang School
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I am so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for all of you. You and your family have been in my prayers all year. Please know that you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike Lucia
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Everyone has that one teacher who affected their life in a positive way. Mr. D was that teacher for so many kids at Lowell High. His passing is a great loss for the LHS community. My sympathies go out to the Descheneaux and Tucker families. You will always be remembered for your caring heart and big smile. Rest easy, Mr. D.
Sue Lessard
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A sad loss to this city. Mr.D told me once that I was teaching the wrong subject. He said ” Sue you spend so much time in the gym, you shoulda been a gym teacher.” He was a great guy.Rest in peace coach.
Maureen Conlon-Daly
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Very sad to read this. Thoughts and prayers to Jim and his family. May Ernie RIP.
Maureen Conlon-Daly
Joanna (Swan) Shinn
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My prayers go out to all the friends and family of Mr. D. He made a positive impact on all who knew him. Lowell won’t be the same without him.
Patty Green
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Mr. D, you were a wonderful, kind teacher to this little 13-year old who was a bit overwhelmed with the size of Lowel High in 1989. I’ve never forgotten. Thank you. May you Rest In Peace. May your family find peace in the time to come.
Jason Bazemore
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Great coach, teacher, and man! You will be missed, but your family will see you again.
Lynne Ferriera, Wang School
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To a wonderful family,
Sorry for your loss. God Bless you all.
Deepest Sympathy
Jason Howson
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Mr. D was one of the few teachers that were able to show me how to get in touch with myself as a person. I often think back to many of the lessons we’d gone through in his class, and I still remember quite a bit. Watching Dead Poet’s Society, reading A&P, and of course, shouting out “Norm!” and doing The Wave every time he entered the classroom. I still remember Maslow’s Hierarchy, but I’m rambling. He was an inspiration to the teacher that I am today, and I didn’t even know it at the time. Rest well, Mr. D. If I’m able to reach half the students you have, I’ll consider myself a success.
Robert DeLossa
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Laurie, I wish grace and peace to you and your family. Ernie will be deeply, deeply missed by all of us in his LHS family. We will hold dear the memory of his passion for literature and his teaching vocation, the deep way in which he connected with his students, and his ever positive collegiality in the school. I cannot think of a single instance in fourteen years where I didn’t see him with a smile when I met him in the halls. Please accept my very deepest sympathy and condolences.
D. Harris
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Dear Family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear loved one and send you my sincere condolences. May you find comfort from God’s word at Revelation 21:3,4 and John 5:28,29. Heartfelt prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Channara Chap
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Great English teacher! One of the few teachers that made learning fun and memorable (class of 1998). You will be missed Mr.Descheneaux. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Kevin Sheehan
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I met Ernie when I Was 16 and was an opponent . I played for Shedd Psrk and Ernie always treated me with respect . I am very lucky because I knew him as an opposing coach but also as a friend. God bless you thru this difficult time
Karen Joslyn
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I am so very sad to hear about Ernies passing. Another wonderful man, husband and father taken way to soon. May you find comfort from the boys, your family and friends. Our best….The Joslyn’s.
Brian Boucher
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My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Brian Boucher
Erica Burns/ Westberry
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I feel blessed that I had him as English teacher. He took the time talk to me when I wrote and English paper on a subject that concerned him. His level of caring will never be forgotten and has had a lasting effect on my life. As a teacher myself now his influence is responsible for my success. He was also an excellent cheer leader at our track meets! I know there is a special place for him in heaven and he will be greatly missed.
Taylor Hood
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Mr. D thank you for making English not such a hard pill to swallow you were amazing continue to be amazing in heaven!!