Obituary of Joseph Boisdore

Joseph Boisdore passed away Monday, April 11, 2011 at his home in Ione at the age of 93 years. He was born May 18, 1918 to Joseph and Eloise (Haney) Boisdore in New Orleans, LA. At age eight he and his sister, Dorothy, age five, were placed in an orphanage in New Orleans. Joseph finished the eighth grade, left the orphanage at age 16, hitchhiked to Chicago, and was hired on at Raytheon where he worked in the factory from 1934 until 1942. He met Elfine (Jean) Marcella Handing while working at Raytheon after shooting her in the eye with a grommet. They married in 1936 and their first born, Dorothy arrived in 1938. He worked as a truck driver from 1943 until 1945 when he joined the U.S. Army. Joseph was stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska until his discharge on September 9, 1946. Their daughter, Joanne arrived in 1949. In the 1950s Joseph started working for the U.S. Post Office and transferred to the Stanford University Post Office in California until he retired in 1978. He was active in the American Legion for 62 years. Joseph was past commander, called bingo, and Elfine (Jean) was in the women's auxiliary. He enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, was a hard-core bowler, and drove until he was 91 years, which he was very proud of and loved. He is survived by his daughters, Dorothy Raines of Milpitas, Joanne Lynn of Ione; grandchildren, Lori Raines, Lynette Raines, Jeff Raines, Donna Raines-Bourland, David Locken, Jr.; 10 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elfine Boisdore in July 1999. A memorial service will be held at The American Legion Hall, 2120 Walsh Ave., in Santa Clara, CA on Friday, May the 6th at 2:00 in the afternoon. Inurnment will be private.