Ronald Charles Audette

He was born in Portland, the son of Frederick J. and Ella M (Miller) Audette where he was very proud of growing up on Munjoy Hill. He graduated from Portland High School in 1951 where he played basketball and baseball all four years and three years of football. Following high school, he attended Higgins Institute. His dream was to attend Maine Maritime Academy, but due to a head injury while playing football in high school, he was denied admission. In 1952, Ron enlisted in the United States Marine Corp which he was very proud. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class in 1953. He married Elizabeth Connolly in 1956 and in 1966 moved his family from Portland to North Yarmouth where he resided until his death.

Ron worked for F.W. Cunningham as a mason and had been head foreman on several jobs. In 1964 Ron ventured out on his own starting his own masonry company. In his 50 plus years as a mason contractor, he employed as many 200 employees from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Ron's first large masonry job was Promenade East. This project led his company to go on to win many large projects that included One City Center, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Sugarloaf Hotel and Canal Plaza. His masonry company built the first Walmart and BJ's in the state of Maine. In the early 1980s, his company did the brickwork for the tallest building in Augusta - Key Bank.

Ron was involved with many restoration projects involving brick and block within the Portland area, many of these projects being union jobs. He was president of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers BAC-Local 3 - MA. which he was extremely proud of. His son, Ron Jr. a bricklayer/cement finisher, is a member of the same union. In 1980, Ron became involved with the Maine Veterans Homes. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Construction Committee by then Gov. Joseph Brennen. In Ron's 12 year tenure he was instrumental in getting the Augusta, Caribou, So. Paris and Scarborough homes built for our veterans. He was a life member of the Amvets Post, American Legion Post and Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Ron was predeceased by his two brothers, Frederick and William Audette, four sisters, Mary Malia, Madeline Grizzard, Elizabeth McCluskey, Lorraine Marcisso and son-in-law, Gary Bailey.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth, five children, Theresa Getson and husband David of Falmouth, John Audette and wife Donna of Portland, Judy Trainor and husband Tom of New Gloucester, Jean Audette of New Gloucester and Ron Audette, Jr. of North Yarmouth, one sister, Jacqueline Marcisso and husband Sam of Westbrook, eight grandchildren, Kelly Seiler, Kayla Bailey, Stephanie Audette, Jill Audette, Mollie Getson, Jessica Fortin, Maddie Audette and Micah Getson, six great-grandchildren, Anna-Marie, Alexis, Alyssa, Sylas, Alonzo and Emilia.

Graveside service with military honors will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Rt. 9, North Yarmouth.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the many caregivers at Beacon Hospice for their amazing care and compassion that was extended to Ron during his illness.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com for information and to sign Ron's guestbook.

Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 290 US Rt. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074