Oscar N. Stebenne, 96

Apr 13, 2020

Oscar N. Stebenne, 96, of Dartmouth passed away Monday, March 30, 2020 after a short illness. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Chapman) Stebenne. He was born in Dartmouth, MA. on September 3, 1923 to the late Alexis and Delia (Morency) Stebenne.   

As a long time communicant of St. George Catholic Church, he was baptized there and served as an altar boy. He was honored during the 100th Anniversary of St. George church in 2014 for being the oldest living baptized parishioner. 

Oscar attended St. Hyacinth’s Elementary School, Sacred Heart School in New Bedford, and Greater New Bedford Vocational School where he studied electronics, and graduated with the class of 1944. He joined the US Army Air Corps in 1943 and was trained in Fire Control, Instrument Operator Field Artillery and Marksman-Rifle. He was member of the D-Day Landing Force on June 7, 1944 as a member of Battery D 776 Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. His battles included: Normandy, Rhineland and Central Europe. He returned stateside and was honorably discharge in 1945. He received the following decorations and citations: Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal. He also received the French Legion of Honor medal from the French consulate in Boston, MA in 2004. After his discharge from the Army,  he returned to New Bedford where he met his wife Ruth and they were married in November 1947. He worked as a machinist at Morse Cutting Tools for 38 years, retiring in 1985. He served as secretary and steward of his union. He was an active member of the VFW Post 9059 of Dartmouth, the American Legion Post 307, and the Knights of Columbus Council 4373.

Oscar is survived by his four daughters:  Audrey of Temple, TX, Claire of New Bedford, MA, Jane of Troy, TX, Marianne of Dartmouth, MA, and his brother Maurice A. Stebenne of Amherst, ME. He also leaves behind his granddaughter Michael Shaffer and her husband Mark of Columbia, SC, his grandson Carson Stebenne of Killeen, TX, and three great grandchildren, Hannah Shaffer, John Shaffer and Ellie Stebenne. He was predeceased by his son, Donald Stebenne of E. Freetown, MA and his sister, Therese Bonneau of Dartmouth, MA.

Oscar loved his social life. He enjoyed his family, cookouts, dancing, bowling, playing cards, his friends at the VFW and tending his vegetable garden. He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, neighbors and fellow veterans. 

Due to the current pandemic, the memorial service will be held at a later date.  To leave a note of condolence, visit www.waring-sullivan.com