He grew up in Lewiston, Maine attending Holy Cross School and was a graduate of Lewiston High School Class of 1960. In the 50’s, his Dad owned and ran Ward’s TV and would take him along, teaching him how, the then new televisions, worked and how to repair them. Later in his teens his Dad was part owner of Ward and Wallace in Brunswick and became the US distributor of the French automobile, the Citroen, which sparked a love for the unusual car. At an early age he went to work to help support his mother and siblings, working at Value House where he would ultimately become a manager, overseeing and opening new stores all over Maine, New Hampshire and New Jersey. When Value House was acquired by Service Merchandise and moved all their jewelry distribution to Tennessee, he was offered a job there which would require relocating the family. He and Claire ultimately decided to decline the offer, not wanting to uproot the family again. He decided to pursue other avenues that would keep him planted in the city of Lewiston which he wanted to call home permanently. He worked hard at a number of jobs until he was offered the job as manager at Andy’s Fast Food, where he worked under the owner, Andy Lachance. Andy and his family became friends of the family, Andy sharing his camp on Taylor Pond every summer with the family where many fun memories and much fishing was done! When Andy sold the business, Dad continued to work under the new owner, Bob Gould. Over the years working at Andy’s he came to meet and get to know many people who always enjoyed conversation with Dad. A claim to fame he had from those years at Andy’s was the time that Andre the Giant came thru his line, shaking his hand which Dad described as a singularly unforgettable experience, where his own hand was as that of a child’s compared to Andre’s massive one. He also had the pleasure of meeting Stephen King there. Dad would eventually begin working at the Lewiston Solid Waste facility in the 1980’s where he remained working until his retirement in the early 2000’s.
In 1963, he married the love of his life, Claire Dufault. Together they moved from location to location for his work at Value House, welcoming 4 children, James, Richard, Renée and Kimberly. In 1976 they moved back to Lewiston, buying the family home on Pleasant Street where they remained. He had 48 beautiful years of marriage to her until her passing in 2011.
He had a passion for nature and the beauty of Maine, taking family trips to the ocean at Popham, Reid State and Bailey Island, day trips to go fishing on the lake and evening trips to do some horn pouting. Recognizing birds by sight and by their call was something he could do with one hand tied behind his back. He loved to take a scenic drive in the fall to take in the changing colors of the trees. He and his wife took many memorable trips to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor especially for their anniversary. During the summer he and Mom would sometimes rent a cottage at Cundy’s Harbor where they would
relax, do some kayaking and have the whole family over for a lobster feed. They would take trips to Moosehead to stay in a rustic camp taking in the splendor of northern Maine, seeing deer, stunning sunsets, moose were a summer staple after the children all grew up and left home. Dad and Mom took the trip of a lifetime, saved for over many years, to go to Europe for their anniversary. They were dazzled by the sights in Paris, the Eiffel tower, wine country in Italy, the Vatican and Naples where Mom’s family was from.
Some of his favorite times were the many family gatherings over the years: BBQ’s where they’d all get together for burgers, hot dogs and one another’s company. Every summer when the grandchildren began arriving, he’d organize Lobster Fest where all would gather together for lobster, corn and summer fun. Holiday get togethers at his Mom’s when the children were young, then moved to the family home, eventually moving to his brother, Tom’s home in Auburn where many memories were made, and so many antics had especially playing a family favorite, the Chinese Auction.
He had a love of music especially that of the 50’s and 60’s; the radio was always on with him singing or whistling along. If you heard him whistle, you’d immediately think he could rival Roger Whitaker. He also had a special love for the music of Jim Croce, Dire Straits and a true favorite was Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
His was a highly intelligent mind, enjoying completing the daily crossword in the paper, which would be meticulously done in different colors. His knack for random knowledge and trivia were legendary. Others would scratch their heads in wonder at his recall on many topics. Watching Jeopardy in the evening was a tradition started in the 80’s and continued on as his nightly routine with an ability to pull the correct answers out of thin air before the contestants could answer. He had a keen fascination with geology and gemology, with an ability to recognize and tell anyone the properties and history of countless types of geologic phenomena. The family took many trips to Perham’s in West Paris, appreciating their many treasures. He cultivated a collection of fluorescent rocks during his time with Value House that was one of his most prized collections, showing it to people and sharing his knowledge of the science behind them. When he sold the collection, it was a source of sadness for him, parting with such a magnificent collection.
Dad had a love of cars, especially classic cars, having the ability to repair and restore them. In the late 80’s he bought and restored his own Citroen to full driving condition and it was his pride and joy until he was forced to sell it. More recently he bought a classic T-Bird that he had begun restoring. He passed this love of cars on to his children along with the uncanny ability to recognize cars just by sight.
Over the years there were many family pets, among them several dog companions, sweet kitties, bunnies and even Rick’s chameleons. Dad loved them all and although he rarely cried or showed emotions, the sadness over letting a pet go when it was their time to pass on were something he couldn’t hide.
He is survived by his children, James and wife, Lynn, Rick, Renée and husband, Jay, and Kim and fiancé Wayne; grandchildren Marissa and Cameron Deschaine, Isaac Dionne, Spencer and Leanna Ward, Sadie and Mia Guimond, and Tess Libby; 2 great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Addeline Deschaine. He is survived by siblings Claire and Joe Weinlick, Connie Mathurin, Celine and Mark Rolerson, Peggy and David Laude, Tom and Vicki Ward, Chris and Michael Ouellette; his brother in law, Richard and wife Susan Dufault plus many cousins, nieces and nephews. He leaves many friends from all over the country. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Claire, a brother in law, Roland and a baby daughter Marie, who passed shortly after birth.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society or the Audubon Society, both causes near and dear to his heart.
A Liturgy of the Word will take place on Saturday, October 21st at 11AM, with Committal Prayers to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Lewiston.
Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group | 217 Turner Street Auburn, ME 04210 | (207) 783-8545
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