Joseph H. Desjarlais, aka Joe D., son of Joseph and Emelina Desjarlais, succumbed to cancer on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 in Laguna Hills, CA. He was born in Taftville, CT on February 25, 1923. In his younger years, Joe D. was well known in the Taftville, Norwich and New London areas for baseball, basketball and bowling. In his thirties, he took up golf, which became his passion. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Navy and served four years in WW2. On August 18, 1951, he married Bette Simoneau.

He is survived by his wife Bette; two children – Paul Desjarlais and Lisa Ried and her husband Craig Ried; two grandchildren ? Taylor and Kayla Desjarlais; and a sister, Lillian Turcotte. He was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, June 26th at 10:00 a.m. followed by his interment at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest, CA.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.