Ernest A. Trudeau, retired building and grounds Director at Boston University, who served with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, died on Friday at the age of 95.
Ernest was born in Waltham, one of twelve children, grew up and went to school there.
Mr. Trudeau was an Army Ranger who became a member of the OSS, predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency formed during WWII. He served in theaters E.T.O and C.B.I in Europe, North Africa, Burma, Republic of Philippines, India and China. He served as a member of the special operations unit OSS Emily. The unit trained at the Congressional Country Club just outside of Washington DC. The group was trained in guerrilla warfare and would be living off the land, sleeping in tents made from their parachutes. The Emily group was the first OSS unit that was airlifted from Algiers to a position behind enemy lines into France. Mr. Trudeau was third in command of a 15 man unit whose mission was “to drop enemy use of the by-pass Cahors-Figeac, Figeac-Brive rail lines in the Lot and to harass enemy movement on Highways 20 and 140”. This mission was accomplished by carrying out acts of sabotage. The acts of sabotage included dynamiting railroad bridges and removing irreplaceable bronze injectors from 28 locomotives in a French rail yard. The members of the Emily unit all spoke French and blended in with the French citizens to avoid detection by the German Armed forces.
Mr. Trudeau was awarded the Croix de Guerre from the French government and has been awarded dozens of medals from the US army including two bronze battle stars. He has also received the honor of being inducted into the Green Beret Hall of Fame.
Ernest loved to travel, dance and garden. He was an avid reader and was fluent in five languages.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, the former Catherine A. Monks;
five loving sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen & MaryAnn Trudeau of Melrose, William & Patricia Trudeau of Melrose, Thomas & Loretta Trudeau of Naples Florida and North Caldwell New Jersey, Joseph & Joan Trudeau of Medfield, and John & Natalie Trudeau of Pembroke. Ernest has nine grandchildren and was predeceased by grandson Adam Trudeau. Ernest is also survived by five great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend funeral services from the Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody St., WALTHAM, Ma, Wednesday at 9 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Mary's Church, 145 School St., Waltham, at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors at the MA National Cemetery, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Parking attendants on duty.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, MA 02360.
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