Paul George Loiseau helped to save Georgianna Festa and assisted in an attempt to save Carmine J. Festa from burning, Worcester, Massachusetts, April 16, 1968. Mrs. Festa, 67,was in a four-door sedan being driven by her husband, 67, when it and a gasoline truck traveling in the opposite direction passed beneath an overpass still under construction. Several steel girders on the overpass broke loose at one end and fell to the street. The first two fell on the truck and caused its fuel tank to ignite. One girder fell on the sedan, pinning Festa against the steering wheel and causing his wife to sustain chest injuries. Loiseau, 24, truck driver, and six other men ran to the sedan to try to remove the occupants lest they be fatally burned if the gasoline truck exploded. One man forced open the right front door, which was on the opposite side of the automobile from flames rising 12 feet above the pavement at the truck. Two men pulled Mrs. Festa out of the sedan. Loiseau and three others then carried her to a point of safety, returning to the automobile within seconds. Loiseau climbed partially into the front seat and another man got into the rear compartment to try to free Festa. The others attempted to give assistance. There then was a muffled thud at the gasoline truck; and flames shot out, striking the side of the sedan opposite the men. At a shout of warning about the girders, all of the men started to leave. Another girder fell, resulting in varying degrees of injury to each of the seven men. Loiseau was hospitalized for fractured vertebrae which resulted in a partial disability. Festa died, but his wife recovered.
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Obituary
Paul “Pudgy” Loiseau, 81, a lifelong, Shrewsbury resident and former local business owner, passed away at home, Friday, January 17, 2025, with the family he loved gathered at his bedside.
Pudgy was born in Worcester, the son of George Loiseau, Sr. and Doris M. (Davis) Loiseau. Raised is Shrewsbury, he graduated from Shrewsbury High School. Pudgy then worked construction as an Heavy equipment operator for several local companies including Worcester Sand & Gravel, notably earning the Carnegie Medal for heroism saving several lives while building the Holy Cross Bridge. Pudgy then opened a night club “Pudgy’ s”, and Pudgy’ s Used cars before retiring. In retirement, Pudgy then formed with his son, Shawn, Undisputed Nutrition for the past 10 years.
He is survived by “the love of his life” and wife of 35 years, Denise (Brink) Loiseau; two children he was so proud of, Shawn Loiseau and his wife Sanlay of Shrewsbury, Cheyanne Loiseau and her husband, Cody Madore of Charlton; a brother, George “GiGi” Loiseau, Jr of Worcester; sister in law, Patricia Loiseau; five grandchildren he adored, Jaxon, Isabella, Izaiah, Ryder and Maverick; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A brother, John A. “Jack” Loiseau and two sisters, Donna Mancini and Doreen Borci also predeceased him.
Pudgy was a dedicated husband, father and friend, Hard on the outside but soft and kind on the inside. Whenever he entered a room, you would leave with a laugh, story of new friend. In his life, family was everything, He was a hands-on Dad who was there for everything sport or activity, his children were involved in and so proud when his son Shawn became a player in the NFL. He was a devoted member of the business community always willing to give advice or lend a hand. His memory will live on to all those he leaves behind.