Leo J. Dubois

Leo J. Dubois, 86, passed away at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA on Wednesday, February 3rd after a brief illness. He was the son of Henry H. Dubois and Lucina E. Ouellette.  Leo was born at home on Edgewood Avenue, Methuen and lived there along with his close family of 16 brothers and sisters.  He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1953.

As a young man, Leo worked at a restaurant before he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War.  There he used his cooking skills for his fellow soldiers.  Upon discharge, he married his longtime love, Susan Paradis, of Lawrence, MA in 1958. They set up home in Methuen and had four children.

Leo worked at Raytheon for a time, but cooking was what he really wanted to do. He and Susan bought Jackson Pizza Restaurant in Lawrence, MA.  A few years later, they started another venture, Jackson Pizza on Haverhill St. in Lawrence.  Finally, Leo and Susan transformed the Skyport  Diner into the well-known and popular Jackson’s Restaurant on the Merrimack River, Methuen, MA.  It was a family affair as their grown children helped with all aspects of its operation. 

Leo enjoyed relaxing and boating at his son’s home on Cobbetts Pond, Windham, NH and going on several cruises with his wife and friends.  He was also known for his dry wit and his clever puns and quips.  The true joys of his life, however, were his two grandsons.  He spent countless hours playing and watching Sesame Street with them.  He was closely involved in their lives, watching and helping them grow into fine men ready to set out into the world.  No doubt, his love and influence helped them achieve their goals.

Susan and their infant son Kenneth predeceased Leo.  His survivors include sons, Gary and Glenn, daughter Sheila, his dear daughter-in-law Ellen (Gillick), and grandsons Alexander and Matthew and his fiancée Adelina Katzounos, sons of Glenn and Ellen.

Leo is also survived by sisters Cecile {Bourassa}, Jeanne {LaTulippe}, Rose {Michaud}, Gertrude {Iannazzi}, Bernadette {Carney},  Marcelle {Thompson}, and Madeleine (Giroux}.  He is predeceased by brothers Lucien, Charles, Alexander, Gerard, Joseph, and Henry as well as sisters Theresa {Burbine}, Anne (Beauchesne), Pauline (Zolubos), and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 8th, 2021, at 12:00 noon in St. Theresa’s Church, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth St., Methuen. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen. Relatives and friends may call Monday from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Dewhirst & Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing will be required.

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