Joseph P. Arsenault, 85, of East Templeton, died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, at UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus, Worcester, following a brief illness.

Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, on January 12, 1941, he was the son of the late Henri and Anne (O'Brien) Arsenault. A naturalized American, he graduated from Gardner High School in 1960, and then proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1960 to 1962. He continued his service in the Army Reserves from 1962 to 1963, followed by the Massachusetts Army National Guard, until his honorable discharge in 1964.

Blessed with a gift for gab, he was a successful advertising salesman for The Gardner News and then the Athol Daily News, until becoming the owner and operator of MPR News Distribution of Templeton, a company he named for his sons. He retired in his 50s to get into woodworking, built one birdhouse, and then decided he wanted a job. So he served his community for years as a driver for the local Council on Aging, taking seniors to medical appointments or on excursions to Foxwoods. He served the youth of Templeton, too, as a Scoutmaster, and as a coach for Little League baseball and school track. He took up running relatively late in life and competed in road races, once winning a pie for his finish in his age group. He was an enthusiastic devotee of corny "dad jokes," and enjoyed seeing his family groan and roll their eyes. Like with this classic: Joseph (pointing): "Look at the henway." Unsuspecting child: "What's a henway?" Joseph (happily): "Oh, about three or four pounds."

He was a devout parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Templeton. He found his greatest happiness outdoors-whether fishing, camping, hiking, or spotting hawks with his outstanding vision-especially in his cherished White Mountains. Above all, Joseph was a family man and a proud grandfather. He treasured the time spent with his loved ones, over many barbecues, do-it-yourself projects, and soccer games shared throughout the years.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Patricia M. (Karpowicz) Arsenault of East Templeton; his sons, Mark Arsenault and his wife Jennifer Levitz of Easton, Paul Arsenault and his wife Kara Herlihy of Milton, and Ryan Arsenault and his wife Amanda of Westminster; three grandchildren, Matthew, Connor, and Emma; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his four brothers, Alfred, Emery, Edgar, and Laurie Arsenault.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Avenue, Templeton, MA. Burial will be private at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glennallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

There are no calling hours. Please report directly to the church on the day of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Avenue, Templeton, MA 01468. Please reference in memory of Joseph P. Arsenault.