Feb. 9, 1925 – Jan. 29, 2017
Joseph (Joe) Francis Gallipeau, 91, of Sweet Home died peacefully in his sleep of lewy body dementia on Jan. 29, 2017 at Willamette Springs Memory Care Community in Corvallis.
He was born Feb. 9, 1925 in Newport, R.I. to George Walter Gallipeau and Mary Dutra-Gallipeau. He had three brothers – George W. II (Sonny), John F. (Jack) and Guy H. Gallipeau.
After graduating from high school, he began a 22-year career in the United States Navy, serving in World War II and the Korean conflict.
While stationed in San Diego, Mr. Gallipeau met and married the love of his life, Lula (Lu) Mae Hall, in 1947. They were happily married for 70 years.
He served as chairman of the board for many years at Upward Bound Camp for people with special needs, where he and his wife participated in several conferences and were instrumental in the planning and development of the camp site.
He had a passion for carpentry and woodworking. He passed on that legacy as he lovingly trained the Pierce children, who called him “Grandpa,” in his home workshop.
Mr. Gallipeau will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
The Gallipeaus had four children – Larry George Gallipeau, Karen Lynn Jack, Sheran Lea Dotson, and Gary Wayne Gallipeau. They were also blessed with eight grandchildren (with four additional honorary grandchildren) and 12 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Gallipeau deeply loved his wife and family and was a loyal friend and neighbor. He was a kind and generous man, actively involved at church, always serving others, and was best known for his good-natured bantering and his signature red sweater and suspenders.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Waterloo Baptist Chapel, 39480 Gross St., Lebanon. A luncheon will follow.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Gallipeau and her family at 28436 Liberty Road, Sweet Home, OR 97386.