Castonguay, Maurice L.

Maurice L. “Moe” Castonguay, of Canton and Manomet, passed away after a short and aggressive battle with T-cell lymphoma on October 2, 2024, at Beth Israel Hospital. He fought every single day for seven months, up until his last breath, and he never once complained. He had a quiet persistence that never quit, saying that he fought for his family.

Born in Sabattus, Maine, on June 20, 1951, to Antoine and Yvette Castonguay, Moe was the fifth of seven children raised on his parents’ dairy farm, along with siblings Anne and Norm LaChance, Julien and Donna Castonguay, Denis and Irene Castonguay, Alcide and Arlene Castonguay, all of Sabattus, ME, and sisters Aline and Phil Moore of Kansas City, MO and Monette and Tommy Bivins of Vernon, Texas. From early on, responsibility, integrity and family were instilled in his heart.

Moe was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Janyce, for 49 years. After meeting in college, they built a loving family and full life together. Through Janyce, his family grew to include her parents, Joseph and Peggy DiMascio of South Boston and Plymouth, and her siblings, Buddy and Marisa DiMascio of Scituate, Stephen and Leslie DiMascio of Manomet, and Meg and Alison DiMascio of Quincy. Through the DiMascios, Moe was also introduced to their larger Manomet friends who became his extended family.

Moe was a loving father to his children, Adam and Lauren of Canton, Aimee and Jim Byrne of Canton, and Michael and Katelyn of North Attleboro. He was often seen coaching and cheering his children’s multiple activities, and then went on to do the same for his grandchildren. As adults, his children grew to be his best friends. His role as a grandfather to Teddy and Charlotte Byrne and Jack, Max and Matthew Castonguay brought him immeasurable joy. In retirement he babysat his grandchildren one day a week, spoiling each one beyond reason. Moe was purposeful in teaching his children to be honest, to be kind and to enjoy life. He taught them both to be the first one on the dance floor and to make sure everyone around them felt included and respected.

A graduate of St. Dominic’s High School in Lewiston, Maine, Moe’s pursuit of knowledge led him to Bentley University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Babson College and a Master of Science in Taxation from Bentley. Upon graduation, Moe successfully earned his license as a Certified Public Accountant. His educational background laid the foundation for a successful career in finance. Moe became a respected figure in the business world, known for his practicality and leadership. As the CFO of numerous businesses, he specialized in guiding companies through the process of becoming publicly traded entities on NASDAQ.

Despite his commitment to work, his love for the outdoors was rooted in his childhood. It blossomed into a variety of interests that defined his adventurous spirit. Moe wanted to see the world and had visited Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and South America numerous times. Yet his favorite place to visit was his backyard in Manomet where he could watch marine life while sipping a Bud Light.

An avid sports fan, he cheered for Boston teams and loved a good tailgate at Gillette with family and friends. Moe found serenity in daily long walks, skiing, playing golf and fishing. Moe loved being bossy and was endlessly worried about everyone else’s welfare. He traveled with a bag full of hats and jackets in case he caught someone cold and was known to take the ski pants off his own body to make sure someone else stayed warm and dry.

When Moe moved to Canton, his college friends followed. Moe had many friendships he had maintained for over 50 years. These friendships grew into three generations of friends that became his tribe. He often told friends he loved them and thought of them as family. His generosity extended beyond his immediate circle, as he made a positive impact on everyone he encountered while often keeping his little nameless acts of kindness to himself. Moe led his life as a generous, kind, and humble person who left the world better than he found it.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, October 11, from 4-8 p.m. at Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 803 State Rd. in Plymouth. Donations can be made to the Canton Food Pantry, P.O. Box 202, Canton, MA 02021.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Oct 10 2024. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.