Joseph L. Drouillard

Joseph L. Drouillard, 84, passed away suddenly in Venice, Florida, on January 23, 2015. Joseph was the son of Cornelius and Olive Drouillard. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Gloria (Jacquay), his brother Robert (Rachel) Drouillard, and eight children: Joseph (Camille), Mary (Leo) Posadny, Bernard (Anne), Marty (Dave) Murray, Greg (Jeanne), Paul (Carol), Maria Hilton, Shelly Drouillard, daughter-in-law Jennifer Drouillard, thirty-nine grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Joseph was preceded in death by his son, Christopher; his sisters Jeanne Conley, Marilyn Porthouse, and Frances Quinnell; his son-in-law Rickie Hilton; and his great-granddaughter Sayde. Joseph graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1947 and worked in a neighborhood grocery store where he met the love of his life, Gloria. Joseph worked at the Willys-Overland Jeep plant, but he soon returned to the grocery business when he purchased the Prospect Market on Detroit Avenue. Joseph then purchased the R. J. Weaver Company on Huron Street in 1962. He renamed it the Weaver Poultry Company and expanded the distribution business into all types of meat and frozen food products. That successful venture became a family affair and grew throughout the years to employ one hundred workers with annual sales of over fifty-million dollars. At the height of his business career, Joseph also owned the Kurtz Meat Market, the International School of Meat Cutting and the Portside Meat Market. Joseph was also an active parishioner of Rosary Cathedral, St Joseph in Maumee and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Churches. Joseph was a kind and gentle man. He loved horses, traveling around the world, and rooting for the Detroit Tigers; but most of all Joseph enjoyed spending time with his family. More than anything else Joseph was known as a devoted husband and father. His grandchildren affectionately named him “Papa Joe.” Visitation will be at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road, on Thursday, January 29th, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. where a Scripture Service will be held at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday January 30th beginning at 9:30 am. in the mortuary followed by the funeral mass in St. Joan of Arc Church at 10:00 am . Memorials may take the form of contributions to Champions in Action c/o St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church.

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Joseph L. Drouillard

June 30, 1930 - January 23, 2015