Joseph George Daigle

Retired Colonel Joseph G. Daigle of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on May 14, 2023. He was born to Napoleon and Helen Daigle. Col. Daigle is survived by three sons, Paul, wife Nancy, Dana, wife Dacia and Brian. Two daughters, Colette, husband James and Nanette, husband Don. He was the proud grandfather of 7 and great grandfather of 6.

A native of Manchester, New Hampshire and Bedford, New Hampshire, he was a graduate of Manchester West High School, class of 1942. After enlisting in the Army Air Corps, his basic training was in Atlantic City, NJ. He went to the Las Vegas Aerial Gunnery School and completed bombardier training in Carlsbad, New Mexico. After combat crew training at Sioux City, Iowa he was assigned to the 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, in England and flew 35 missions in a B-17 aircraft, as a bombardier and navigator with the 322nd Bomb Squadron.

Discharged in 1945 at War's end, he was recalled to active duty in 1952 during the Korean conflict as a Norden Bomb Site instructor. Over the course of the next 25 years Col. Daigle's overseas tours of duty included France, Germany, Guam, Vietnam, Kadena, U-Tapoa, and the Philippines. He also had a long tour in the Strategic Air Command, logging over 5000 hours in a B-52 Aircraft while flying 242 missions in Southeast Asia. From 1955 to 1958 he pulled nuclear ground alerts at Landstuhl, Germany. In the 60's he was both on ground alert in SAC and flew many 24-hour airborne missions. Col. Daigle's flying log records over 7500 hours of flying time.

A master navigator, Daigle served his last years in the security field. "Big Joe", as his troops called him, served as commander of security forces at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Clark Air Base in the Philippines and at Kirtland Air Force base in New Mexico.

Retiring in 1980 after 37 years of service in the Air Force, he became a registered representative for the USPA and IRA until his final retirement in 1989. Col. Daigle was a member of the American Legion and Disabled American Vets, the 8th Air Force Historical Society and lifetime multi-gallon blood donor.

Faith, Family and Flag were his passions, and he flew the American flag over his home every day. He also was a believer in exercise and his prowess on the base handball and racquetball courts was well known among those he played. Col. Daigle also enjoyed the family card game of pitch and his good-natured rivalry with his daughter Colette over their countless games of Gin was also legendary.

A communicant of the Sangre de Cristo, he spent many spare moments during his lifetime active in various church activities. Married in 1948 to the former Doris Bergeron of Manchester, New Hampshire, they enjoyed 68 years of married life until her death in 2016. Daigle will be remembered as a wonderful father and loving grandfather to his 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, teaching them by example what true leadership and service to others is all about. He instilled in each of them a love of God, a love of family and a love of country...truly a wonderful legacy. He also wanted to thank his son Brian for taking such great care of him for over the last 10 years.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Lomas with a rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. A mass will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, 9:15 a.m. at Sangre De Cristo Catholic Church, 8901 Candelaria Road NE, 87112. He will be laid to rest at Santa Fe National Cemetery.