Joseph R.W. Constant

Joseph Robert Wilfred Constant “Bob”, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026 at the age of 90, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  He was the loving husband of 60 years to the late Rachel Constant.   

He was born on November 18, 1935, in New Bedford, to the late Wilfred and Christine (Morin) Constant.  

Bob proudly served in the US Navy from 1954-1958 aboard the USS North Hampton based out of Norfolk, Virginia.  He worked at Acushnet Process (now Acushnet Company).  He planned on working there temporarily while he looked for a different job.  That temporary job turned into 39 years when he retired in 1998. 

Bob loved tinkering around the house and doing small engine repairs for family and friends.  In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling and bike riding.  He spent many hours with Rachel exploring the back roads on their bicycles.  He was a gentle, soft-spoken man who enjoyed family time.  Every year they had all the grandchildren over to make Christmas cookies, and his job was making chow mein for lunch.  He was an avid Red Sox and Bruins fan.   

Bob was very active in his parish, St John Neumann church in East Freetown.  He had been an eucharistic minister, received the Marian medal and was very involved helping set up the Lakeside Family Festival in its early years, and his younger days.    

He is survived by his 3 children, Michael Constant of New Bedford, Monique Deneault and her husband David of Acushnet and Mark Constant and his partner Jennifer Van Reijsen of Fairhaven.  Bob was also the proud Pepere to Brandon Deneault and his wife Lindsey, Courtney Deneault and her partner Brian Escaler, Dakota Sousa and her husband Colton, Jacob Constant and Jillian Constant.  His pride and joy were his 2 great-grandchildren, Julia and Benjamin Deneault.  He also leaves behind a brother, Richard Constant.   He was predeceased in death by his sister Clarisse Doyon. 

We would like to thank the staff at Sacred Heart Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation and New England Hospice for the care and compassion they showed our dad.  You made it easy for us to leave him every day in your wonderful care.   

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral services to be held at St. John Neumann Parish at 157 Middleboro Road East Freetown 02717 on May 1, 2026, starting with a receiving line at 9:15 am followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am.  Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or Coastline Elderly Services, Inc at www.coastlinenb.org 

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