Joseph Edson Langlois

Joseph Edson Langlois, age 79, of Newfield passed away peacefully on 3/29/24 at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough with his devoted niece, “Girl”, and advocate, Annmarie Smith, at his side. He was born September 30,1944, to the late Roland and Hazel Hadlock Langlois of Porter, Maine.

The youngest of eight siblings, Joe marched to the beat of a different drum. Family members swear he grew up on a steady diet of Wheaties, the only concession his normally unyielding mother made for his well-documented finickiness at the table. Whether attributed to genetics or the Wheaties, we can’t be sure, but Joe became the one, out of five sons, who was dished up with his father’s stature, stamina, and legendary strength...plus a side order of swagger! He had a gregarious, charismatic personality with charm in spades and was a friend to everybody...unless he wasn’t.

He was a graduate of Porter High School. Though not a big fan of school, Joe was an avid self-learner in topics that interested him, and he was especially gifted and excelled in music and all things mechanical. Joe was a tinkerer in his boyhood which led to the life-long fascination and steady acquisition of a variety of vehicles and tools used for work, play, and garden/ property management. Building and racing cars was a passion for many years and something he enjoyed sharing with his son. Joe loved racing his #1 Pinto and was considered “nearly unbeatable” in the Mini-stock division at Lee Raceway in N.H. Joe also loved his motorcycles and especially enjoyed taking bike trips with his wife.

PFC Joseph Langlois served in the US Army from 1962-1965 as a mechanic in the 708th Maintenance Battalion, Company B, specializing in troop carrier CH21’s, CH34’s, and Huey fighter helicopters. While deployed in Germany, he was selected to play guitar and sing in an Army band that performed for special events. While stationed in Germany, Joe found playing in a band in his free time to be “just the spoonful of sugar to make the medicine (of army discipline) go down.” Music was his second language.

After returning home from the service, he married Peggy O’Neill, and they partnered over 50 years, building a home and life, navigating the ups and downs together. After serving in the army, a couple of his buddies and he formed the band “Attila’s Huns.” For a time, they played every Saturday night at the Garner Gym in Kezar Falls where their biggest fans, their wives, collected tickets. Joe was well known for coming down off the stage to double as bouncer if the hired security needed help!

Joe preferred to live life on his own terms but was not afraid of hard, physical labor. After a stint working at both Pratt & Whitney and a concrete foundation company in CT, he returned to Maine to be self-employed for several decades. An entrepreneur at heart, Joe’s diverse resume included running a tow truck service & salvage yard, logging, owning & operating a small town store, and lobstering for twenty years alongside his hardworking wife, who caught the mackerel bait. He retired after working several years as custodian at the Massabesic Middle School.

“Work hard and play hard” was Joe’s life philosophy. The outcome of that, coupled with life-long impairment acquired in the Army, took a toll on his health in later years. Several months after his wife’s passing, he became a resident at the Maine Veterans’ Home. There he received the daily assistance, consistent medical care, respectful camaraderie, and encouragement needed to move forward. Joe was “a buddy” to many staff members and residents there, but a special bond developed between he and a small circle of men who staked out their claim daily in the dining room for mealtime fellowship. He was especially devoted to Charles Whitney, aged 101. Forever young in spirit and true to form, though wheelchair bound, Joe was not averse to coming out swinging to defend his friend’s rights and best interests if he perceived “Charlie” had suffered a personal affront or injustice. The consummate lobsterman, Joe would not be denied his weekly lobster indulgence and often generously treated others, as well. His guitar quite naturally followed him to the Veteran’s Home, and he delighted staff and visiting family with his bedside performances- even taking requests to expand his repertoire.

Joe Langlois was a big man with a big personality and a big heart. His memory will be held dear by those who loved him and knew him best. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Margaret O’ Neill Langlois, and two brothers, Harvey Langlois and William Langlois.

Joe is survived by his son, Kevin Langlois, and his family, brother, Edmund, and his family, sister, Janet Eastman, and her family, brother Harvey’s family, sister, Joan Scott, and her family, brother, Air Force Ret. Major Richard Langlois, and his family, sister in law, June Langlois, and her family, sister, Marie Day, and her family, and his faithful companion through difficult times, Lucky Cat.

Per his wishes, there will be no services. At a later date this summer, a family gathering will be held to honor and celebrate Joe’s life.