Phillip Audette

Phillip (Phil) G. Audette, age 78, of Attleboro passed away peacefully on December 8, 2023 at his home. He was the son of the late George and Rita (McGovern) Audette.

Phil was the devoted husband of Janet A. Gaudreau to whom he was married for 45 years when Janet passed away in September 2013.

In addition to his wife Janet, he was the loving father of Lauren (Audette) Warner and her husband Shawn of Pepperell, MA and Renee (Audette) McMahon of Attleboro, grandfather of Mackenzie and Jack Warner and Abigayle McMahon. Brother of Catherine (Audette) Fisher and her husband William of South Dennis, MA, brother-in-law to Ernest Gaudreau of CT and to Michael Livers of Easton, MD. Phil was an uncle and great uncle to many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, Phil was predeceased by his brothers Thomas and John Audette.

Born in Attleboro on January 28, 1945, Phil graduated from Attleboro High School, just a short walk from his childhood home, in the Class of 1963. Phil received a certificate for furniture making from North Bennet Street Industrial School in 1965. He earned an associate degree in business from Fisher Junior College in 1978.

Phil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July,1965 and served until July 1969, a decision that would shape many of his passions and the causes closest to him for the remainder of his life. Phil traveled throughout the Pacific during his time in the Service; his last year was spent with the 7th Air Force, 834th Airlift Control Element (Rocket Alley) at the Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.

A lifelong resident of Attleboro, Phil was committed to serving his community. After 10 years with the Foxboro Company, he worked for the City of Attleboro at the wastewater treatment plant for 17 years. Phil ended his time with the City as the Head of Maintenance in 2005.

In his retirement, most days you could find Phil volunteering at Attleboro Veterans Services, assisting with the operations of the Veterans Van Service or at one of the cemeteries as the Veterans Grave Officer, ensuring that the veterans of Attleboro are not forgotten. A keen student of WWII history, he also collected WWII military memorabilia and weapons.

Phil found great joy in his family, friends and travel. One of his favorite pastimes was to visit historic sites throughout the United States, often traveling there in his RV. He and Janet visited many of the lighthouses along the East Coast. In recent years, he was most happy when camping with his family or spending a week at Baxter State Park in Maine with friends. While he had a life-long love for fishing, both fresh and salt, it took on new meaning once he was able to share the experience with his grandchildren.

Phil was past Commander for the Attleboro War Council, the American Legion Post 20, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 115. He was a First Lt. Civil Air Patrol, Old Colony Squadron, Taunton, MA and a member of the R.I. Muzzle Loaders Gun Club, Rehoboth, MA. Phil also was involved with Troop 37 of the Scouts BSA. Most recently, he was the Grand Marshall in the 2023 Attleboro Memorial Day Parade.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation from 4 -7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 28th at Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St., Attleboro. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will honor Phil with a ceremony during the memorial visitation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 29th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1 Power St., Norton. Phil will be interned following the Mass at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will honor Phil with a ceremony during the memorial service.

There will not be a funeral procession from the funeral home to the church the morning of the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Phil’s memory may be made to Attleboro’s Veterans Services 77 Park Street Attleboro, MA 02703 or to either the American Legion Post 20, 437 Newport Ave, Attleboro, MA 02703 or VFW Post 115, 122 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703.