John Duplissis

Amazing Grace led our beloved father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Friday, May 12, 2017. John Duplissis was born January 27, 1934 in Van Buren, Maine. Van Buren is a town in Northern, Maine, on the Saint John River, located across from Saint-Leonard, New Brunswick, Canada.

John was born to Hilaire Duplissis and Eva Label-Caron, and was one of their 13 children, with John being the youngest boy. He was raised on the family homestead in greater Van Buren where farming was the family mainstay. John loved to plant and toil in his gardens over the years which makes sense as it was something he did as a child.

John served his country by enlisting in the United States Army in 1956. While in the military, John was stationed at Bindlach, Germany as part of the Brave Rifles 3rd Armored Company Regiment, Seven Steps to Hell and A Company, 1st Battalion; and for a time patrolled the border in a command jeep between Allies and Soviets during the Cold War. John has shared many stories with his family and friends over the years. While an exciting time for John, he did risk his life for his country and our security. John returned to the states in 1958, to Ft. Meade, Maryland and was honorably discharged to take care of his mom after the death of his father.

In 1960, John asked for the hand of and married Rita Yvonne Blais of Lewiston, Maine, being married on October 29th, 1960, in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Together they had 5 children, losing Joseph at birth and bringing up 4 children, until the death of Rita on April 20, 1980 to colon cancer.

After the death of Rita, heartbroken, John moved his family to Tempe, Arizona. There he was blessed to receive a job at Arizona State University where he served as a custodian for the Health Center for over 25 years. This gave the ability for his children to attend ASU on tuition waivers which changed all of their lives forever. Most of John’s time was served taking care of his family and serving the Catholic church. He taught his children that giving of oneself to others is something we must always do for our fellow man and family. He was a great example of this throughout his life and has touched many people outside the family by his giving nature.

John loved to cook and learned quickly how to with his 4 children. He always had a Sunday dinner ready for his children and this became known to his children’s friends who frequented the house to partake in the bounty that John provided.

On April 7th, 1990, John married Maria Christina Barillas also an employee at Arizona State University, and “Christy” became part of the family. Both of them being widows, it was a great match for them both. They loved each other deeply and were married for over 27 years.

John is survived by Christina, his wife of 27 years, and his children Gail (Nytes) Duplissis of Chandler AZ, Gary Duplissis of Chandler AZ, Mark Duplissis of Chandler, AZ, and Steven Duplissis of Tempe, AZ; grandchildren Amy Nytes, Matthew Duplissis, Madeline Duplissis, Hannah Duplissis, Abigail Duplissis, Samuel Duplissis, Ashleigh Duplissis, Logan Duplissis, as well as Aden John Richardson, his only great-grandchild.

John is preceded in death by his parents Hilaire Duplissis and Eva Label-Caron, his first wife, Rita Duplissis, and his first son, Joseph Duplissis.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held Friday, May 19th, 2017. Viewing from 9:00am – 10:00am, Prayer Service by Deacon from 10:00am – 11:00am, all at Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Memorial Garden, 4310 E. Southern Ave. Phoenix, Arizona.

A celebration of life and memorial service is proceeded by the burial May 19th , 2017 at 1:30pm at Mountain View Cemetery, located at 7900 E. Main St. Mesa, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Research Center, under the name of John Duplissis. P O Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148, donors@stjude.org. Please refer to the following tribute account number: 10991744

Arrangements under the direction of Resthaven / Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens, Phoenix, AZ.