Leo A. Bessette Jr., 95, of Pawtucket, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Wednesday, September 18, 2024. He was the beloved husband of the late Loretta (Larson) Bessette. Born in Central Falls, he was the son of the late Leo and Edith (Lawson) Bessette.

He is survived by his children, Lisa O'Brien and her husband Charles, Lori Ruggiero and her husband Andrew, Leslie Charbonneau and her husband John, Leo Bessette, Lanni Bessette-Carello and her husband Matthew, and Linda Twardowski and her husband Michael. He also leaves his brother, Robert Bessette, and eleven grandchildren. He was the grandfather of the late Michael O'Brien and the brother of the late Evelyn Kaveny.

Leo proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was the president of E&L Trucking in Pawtucket for many years. As a devout Catholic, he was very active in his Church where he became a Eucharistic minister. Leo and his family enjoyed boating, traveling the country by motor coach, and spending time at the Rhode Island shore. After retiring, he devoted much of his free time to volunteering at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Pawtucket Soup Kitchen and Amos House.

During his lifetime, Leo made many lifelong friends whom he cherished dearly. He will be remembered as an incredibly kind, clever, ambitious, generous and playful man with a larger than life personality.  Leo was also a firm believer in having his dessert first.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, September 25th at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church of Holy Family Parish, 195 Walcott Street, Pawtucket. Burial with military honors will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, September 24th from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Manning-Heffern-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank , 200 Niantic Ave., Providence RI 02907, in memory of Leo, would be greatly appreciated.